A PETITION to stop the closure of an Oxford post office broke the 1,000-signature barrier last night.

Neighbours have signed a petition in droves in response to the planned closure of the post office in Church Way, Iffley - the only post office which serves the city's Rose Hill and Iffley ward.

Last night, more than 60 residents packed out Iffley Church Hall to find out how best to combat the Government-backed proposal to shut their post office.

The neighbours' signatures took the petition past the 1,000-name mark. They are among nearly 5,000 people across the county who have signed petitions to save 22 Oxfordshire post offices from the chop.

David Penwarden, spokesman for the Friends of Iffley, said: "It has been a magnificent response. What surprised me especially was the warmth of the response from the people of Rose Hill.

"The post office is very important to both areas.

"Probably two thirds of the people who signed the petition are outside Iffley, and are mostly from Rose Hill and Iffley borders."

Iffley Post Office sits in a shop owned by the village, which is staffed by 30 volunteers.

If the cost-cutting move goes ahead, the branch could close as early as June this year.

The closure would mean neighbours would have to trek to Cowley, Littlemore or Donnington branches to access their pensions or their post office accounts.

A postmistress who works at the Iffley branch on Monday to Friday mornings for less than £6,000 per annum would be made redundant under the proposal.

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith, who has been door-knocking in Rose Hill for signatures, said: "This is a huge issue in the area. The post office is an essential community facility.

"There are a number of elderly people in Iffley village who very much look on the post office as their local lifeline.

"It would be a huge tragedy for the village and the wider community if it lost the post office."

Residents have until March 17 to make their voices heard in a public consultation period into the proposed closures.

Elizabeth Bremner, from Bay Tree Close, Iffley, said: "I am furious.

"This is all part and parcel of the Government's ridiculous attitude.

"How can they call it the People's Post Office on adverts when they want to take ours away?

"There are quite a lot of elderly people who rely on the post office. Everyone feels the same."