Angela Hurcombe, who has run the post office in King's Cliffe, near Peterborough, for the last 30 years, was told her branch had been saved from the axe in November.

She said: "It is the not knowing that is the problem. I know it is a worry for everyone still waiting to hear.

"I remember when the Post Office was the envy of the world, something the country was very proud of. But now something has gone drastically wrong.

"It would be terrible for the village if we lost the office. It would be very hard for older people who rely on us.

"It is always the older generation who are hit. It seems people do not care about them."

Dozens of post masters have backed The Evening Telegraph's Hands Off Our Post Offices campaign to try to save the city's branches, which provide a vital service to many in the community.

Most were scared to speak out, for fear of putting their branch at risk.

Wisbech post mistress Nisha Maiya who welcomed the ET campaign, said: "It is awful at the moment. We do not know anything.

"Everyday customers come into the shop and ask us what is happening, but we cannot tell them, because we do not know.

"All our customers say they will fight alongside us."

Mrs Maiya, who runs a small shop alongside the post office, said: "Without the post office the business will die. Most of the customers come in for the post office, and then use the shop, so it would be a disaster."

To get a copy of our petition call Stephen Briggs on 01733 588734.