A PETITION signed by more than 1,100 angry residents opposing a controversial Post Office move has been handed over to the company.

South Swindon MP Robert Buckland gave the petition to Post Office execs and the postmaster of the Cavendish Square branch which is set to be relocated while meeting with them at his Old Town office.

The proposed change sparked outrage from customers after they learned of plans to move the facility from its dedicated unit to part of a Premier newsagent on Whitbourne Avenue round the corner.

Mr Buckland said: “This post office is used by people in other areas outside of Cavendish Square and this petition has made people more aware of the plans.

"The worry is that people will be queuing out the door because the size of the place is quite small though the good news is that will offer all the same services as the current location.

“It is very much needed in that community and it’s great that so many people have shared their views. It was very important to hear from them and take their concerns into consideration.

"Our job now is to listen to these views and make an informed decision about what is the right way forward.

“The purpose of the meeting was to hand over the petition to have an update on where we are in the situation and help them through the process of support.”

The Post Office cited the end of temporary postmaster Ashwin Patel’s contract as the reason for the move and hope the longer opening hours at the new premises will please customers.

The consultation period for the plans has ended and during that time, the petition received 938 signatures with another 230 added after the deadline passed.

The Post Office’s external relations director Stuart Taylor said: “It has been a topic of much interest and a lot of people got in touch.

"We’ve had people who would prefer it to stay where it is and others who are attracted by the longer opening hours in its new location.”

The current plan is for the Park South Post Office to close at 4,30pm on Saturday July 27 before reopening at the new premises on Monday July 29 at 1pm.

Its opening hours will extend from 6am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday and 7am to 12pm on Sundays.