Residents in Hurdsfield are celebrating after plans to close the post office on the estate were scrapped.

Post Office Ltd announced in December plans to close its Post Office on Hurdsfield Road and move it inside a convenience store at 199-203 Buxton Road.

However many residents expressed their dismay and the ward councillor, Gill Boston, said she believed it would cause big problems to elderly people who relied on it.

And the idea is now to be shelved following the overwhelming opposition to the plan expressed during the six-week  long consultation period.

Coun Boston said: “I am delighted by the news but more importantly it is extremely encouraging to know that the views of local people were listened to and acted upon.

“It is a really good example of how local people by making their views known can influence local decision making and I hope this example from the Post Office will encourage people to respond to other consultations in the future.

Coun Boston said she would now be working with bosses at Royal Mail to discuss the future of the branch.

A spokeswoman for Post Office said: “During the public consultation customers welcomed the idea of significantly longer opening hours at the proposed new office.

“However, some concerns were raised for elderly and disabled customers, particularly due to the extra distance some would to travel to access Post Office services at the proposed location.

“Some customers also commented that they would have to negotiate uneven ground and that there was not a direct bus service to the proposed location.

“In considering these responses we have decided not to relocate for the time being.

“Other locations may be considered and any new location proposed would be subject to a further six-week period of local public consultation.”