A CAMPAIGN to save Darwen's London Terrace Post Office from closure has stepped up a gear with the presentation of a 629-name petition.

Ward councillor Roy Davies began the battle earlier this month when he stood outside the building collecting signatures. People came out of their houses and approached Coun Davies to sign and others joined in gathering names on his behalf.

The petition, along with letters of protest from Coun Davies and prospective Parliamentary candidate for Rossendale and Darwen Michael Carr, has been sent to the consultation team ahead of any decision being made.

Coun Davies said: "We have had a lot of support on this issue. My main wish is that the post office can stay open where it is now but if it can't my second wish is that another location can be found in that area.

"It would be nice for it to remain in London Terrace as it has been there about 50 years and a lot of people have told me they don't want it to close."

The branch is one of two in Darwen targeted under the Royal Mail's national plan to close 13 post offices across Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and Rossendale.

Hollins Grove Post Office, in Blackburn Road, was also named but it has already been closed for several weeks after the owner of the building decided he no longer wanted the post office service to run from his premises.

A Royal Mail spokesman said the organisation would consult the local community about closure plans until late July and would make a decision later in the year.