Residents in East Oxford are campaigning to get their local Post Office reopened.

The Divinity Road Residents' Association said it was "feeling the strain" following the closure of the post office on the corner of Cowley Road and Divinity Road. They want to see it replaced.

The site is now being redeveloped without space for a post office, but residents are hopeful new premises can be found nearby.

And the Post Office is appealing for people to come forward with offers.

The shop, which used to be a Londis store with a sub post office at the rear, closed in the autumn.

Although there are two other post offices in the area, Elizabeth Mills, chairman of the residents' association, said the elderly and infirm were struggling to reach them.

She said that people using the other post offices often experienced long queues.

She said: "The Post Office has said it doesn't have a site in mind and has indicated that we should nominate a site, but I really don't think it should be up to us. It is entirely ridiculous that we have been left without an accessible post office for so long." Mrs Mills believes ward councillors should team up with the Post Office to help find the most suitable place.

"The council should have seen this coming and done something sooner," she said.

"My husband suffers from arthritis and it is far too far for him to walk to the other end of Cowley Road if he wants to get to the post office, so I dread to think what it is like for elderly or disabled people not as mobile as him.

"The post office is an incredibly important part of the community."

Richard Hall, spokesman for the Post Office, said: "The area is already fairly well served by post offices.

"The premises that the Divinity Road Post Office were in were no longer available to us. We were then left with a situation where we needed to find someone willing to run a branch with suitable premises. To date we have not been able to do that. If anyone is interested, we would like to hear from them."

One of the closest post office branches is about half a mile away. Manager Raj Gill said: "We now have three counters and three people serving who are fast and efficient. When it is busy here, it is because we offer more services now, which attract more people.

"There is a possibility of us moving to larger premises which would more than adequately serve local people. Nothing has been confirmed yet."

Ward councillor Elise Benjamin said: "The Post Office told us they have had difficulty finding someone to run another sub post office. I am not convinced there was enough advertising, though.

"There must be someone out there who would welcome an opportunity like this. The other post office in Cowley Road is small and is now in great demand."

If you are interested in running a post office, call the recruitment line on 0845 601 6260.