A postmistress is supporting the campaign to re-open a post office in Summertown.

Residents have been trying to bring back a post office to the area since the last one closed in 2008.

Now Swarn Lally, a postmistress of 20 years, says she would love to take on the role if the Post Office decided to open up.

It comes as councillors plan to invite Post Office to a meeting to discuss any proposals.

Mrs Lally, 56, said: “I would love to help in any way I can.

“I was shocked there is no- one willing to provide the required service to the Summertown community.”

She currently runs the Woodstock post office and said: “I thought this would be a good challenge for me. Everyone needs a post office, especially Summertown.

“There’s a whole parade of shops there and I’m surprised they have continued without one.”

The last post office in Summertown closed in 2008 when Martin’s newsagent on Banbury Road was turned into a Costa coffee shop.

More than 500 residents this month sent a petition to the Post Office demanding the return of their services.

Summertown city councillor Stuart McCready said: “It is positive that people want to take on the role.”

But he added: “We need to find a business that would be able to include a post office.”

Campaigners hope the Summertown library could provide a solution.

Mr McCready said: “If the Friends of Summertown Library take on the library land one hope would be to provide a place for a post office.

“We have decided that at our next Oxford City Council area forum we will invite someone from the Post Office as a guest to discuss specific things about the campaign.”

He added: “Of all the places in north Oxford that have a post office, none are as ideal as Summertown.”

Post Office spokesman Val Antoine said: “Customer usage of Post Office branches has continued to fall as both our clients and customers switch to alternative channels such as the internet.

“We must, therefore, always look at the best way to meet our service obligations to customers in the face of changing customer needs and an increasingly challenging commercial environment.”

She added: “We would be happy to have a discussion with local representatives.”

Last week, it was revealed the Post Office branch in Horspath will close next month as it has been asked to leave Horspath Stores by owner Vipin Patel.

Mr Patel was suspended as subpostmaster after admitting fraud earlier this year.

On the other side of Oxford, city councillor Van Coulter said he was continuing to work with the Barton community to reinstate its post office.