Pensioner Noreen Skinner has collected 2,200 signatures in a week-long campaign against the closure of rural Post Offices, writes Richard Abbott.

The 75-year-old spent three hours every day outside the post office in Barns Road, Cowley, last week.

She is sending copies of her petition to Ten Downing Street and Andrew Smith, Oxford East MP and Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Campaigners fear post offices in Oxfordshire are under threat from Government plans to switch benefit payments to banks.

Postmasters say it could cost them up to 50 per cent of customers, forcing some of them to close.

Mrs Skinner, of Cuddesdon Way, Blackbird Leys, Oxford, said: "The people are in uproar about what is going on, especially with so many banks closing too. People want a personal service.

"It is not fair on the old and disabled who can't travel far to the bigger branches.

"We want the Prime Minister to know we are not happy.

Story date: Tuesday 11 April

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