A FURNESS post office under threat of closure has been saved after a campaign by residents.

Broughton-in-Furness PO was placed at risk because of a plan to change it from a community branch into a commission-based payment outlet.

If the changes by Post Office Ltd had gone through it could have made the post office unsustainable, leaving the community and many of its vulnerable residents further isolated.

But Broughton residents organised a meeting in the Victory Hall, started a petition and contacted MP John Woodcock who wrote to post office bosses urging them to maintain the service in its present form.

On Friday, sub postmistress Diane Bath and her husband Alan received a letter from Post Office Ltd saying their appeal for the outlet to remain a community branch had been successful.

Diane said: “I am so delighted with the outcome of the campaign. Being classified a community branch means we can better meet the challenges of running a rural post office. I want to give my heartfelt thanks to everyone who showed their support and helped make our appeal successful.”

Mr Woodcock said: “The community campaign to safeguard the post office was a great example of what can be achieved when people come together in a common purpose. I was glad to give it my support and I feel sure most people will be delighted with this outcome. Diane and Alan have put everything they have into maintaining a vital community service and will continue to do so. I will be holding a meet-your-MP session in Broughton this coming Friday and I will find the time to speak to residents about the successful campaign.”

In his letter Mr Woodcock wrote: “If the post office is not designated a community branch I would have major concerns about the community’s access to long-term post office services. The post office in Broughton has provided the residents of the village and its surrounding areas with a high standard of service and any change to its branch status would put these services at considerable risk. There are also potential risks for local businesses. Any move to an exclusively commission-based payment is likely to make the ongoing provision of post office services unsustainable.”

Evidence from a recent survey showing 95 per cent of Duddon Parish residents rated local post office facilities as important was sent to Post Office Ltd by Broughton Community Plan Steering Group. Its chairman Annette Carmichael explained: “It is crucial that the current location and service offering of our village post office is maintained. The last bank branch recently closed down here and we have no bus service. Our parish also has a higher than average number of elderly residents. Having an easily accessible post office branch makes all the difference to both individuals and our local businesses.”