The branch at Barnwell, near Oundle, was earmarked for closure in January this year, and residents have been told it will close in October.

But they are continuing their campaign to keep the office open.

The axe fell on the post office as part of a raft of closures announced across the country.

Later this year, the spotlight will fall on Peterborough and the surrounding area as to where to make closures.

Since being told of the threat residents have battled tirelessly to save their branch - and today they backed The Evening Telegraph's Hands Off Our Post Office campaign to save as many of the businesses across the region as possible.

Pat and Ron Rutterford have run the post office for several years, and many of the villagers rely on the numerous services offered at the branch.

Along with a post office service six days a week, the couple have transformed the premises into a fully-stocked shop, and run a prescription pick-up facility.

Earlier this year, 200 people marched the three miles from Barnwell to Oundle in protest of the closure – and to show Post Office bosses just how far villagers will have to travel to the nearest post office and village shop.

Organisers of the Save Barnwell Post Office campaign today called for villagers and residents across the region to continue to support their local branch in the face of the closures.

Chairman of the campaign Geoff Shacklock said: "The best way to save the branch is to make sure it has a strong business, and keep using it.

"We are currently following a number of avenues, including speaking to our MP, Phillip Hope, and are in regular contact with Post Office Ltd, as well as Post Watch.

"We don't know how successful we will be, but we will continue to fight."

Mr Shacklock also backed The Evening Telegraph's Hands Off Our Post Office campaign.

The campaign, launched two weeks ago, has already seen dozens of people filling in petitions and pledging their support for local postmasters and post-mistresses.

It has also been supported by the national pressure group Communities Against Post Office Closures (CAPOC).

John Warman, from CAPOC, said: "The Post Office plan is less than halfway through, and hundreds more communities round the UK still won't realise they're on the closure list and the impact it will have on their lives.

"The ultimate aim of the campaign must be to put enough pressure on Post Office Ltd and the Government to stop the closure of well-used viable post offices."

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