RESIDENTS fighting the closure of an Ipswich post office have today won a potential reprieve.The Wherstead Road branch, in Austin Street, has been under threat ever since it was announced it was among six post offices set to be closed in the town.

RESIDENTS fighting the closure of an Ipswich post office have today won a potential reprieve.

The Wherstead Road branch, in Austin Street, has been under threat ever since it was announced it was among six post offices set to be closed in the town.

But the Post Office could now backtrack on its plans following a meeting with Postwatch East of England, Ipswich Borough Council and Chris Mole MP.

The Post Office, which serves the Old Stoke community, will now reconsider its position and has given the council until September 10 to present its business case.

This means a further wait for residents in Old Stoke, who organised a petition earlier in the year to try to save the branch.

Concerns were raised about the number of elderly people who would face a long walk to Maidenhall or to the town centre to collect their pensions.

Dr Charles Winstanley, chairman of the region's Postwatch, said: "We maintain the prospect of significant regeneration activity in the area and the council's proposal for a new sub post office operating on a reduced cost basis justifies Wherstead Road being withdrawn from the closure programme."

There had been suggestions that Ipswich General Stores, in Austin Street, could expand into a neighbouring shop and include a new post office. But this site has now been identified as the base for the Partnership Priority Area and is no longer available.

What do you think of the post office? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk