ANGRY employees were outside West Wickham Crown Post Office last week protesting against its planned closure and relocation inside another retailer.

There are nine people employed at the Station Road Post Office, and they are facing an uncertain future if franchising plans go ahead.

From 2.30pm on April 19 signatures were collected and leaflets distributed to raise awareness of the threat.

Communication Workers Union (CWU) representative Chris Roche said: "West Wickham Crown post office is an essential part of the local economy.

"It’s a valuable asset to the community and is relied upon by local residents and businesses as well as people who collect their pensions and benefits here.

"The staff in West Wickham are well-trained and have over 80 years of experience between them which could be lost under the company’s plans to close this office and find what it calls a 'retail partner'."

Network and Sales Director at the Post Office Kevin Gilliland said: "The CWU is failing to accept the need to address the current loss of £40 million a year of public money across our Crown network.

"Through our critical modernisation plans we intend to turn this part of our business around and keep Post Office branches on high streets across the UK.

"We will invest £70 million in 300 Crown branches and are proposing to partner 70 branches with suitable retailers.

"Any move to a retailer’s premises would offer access to the same range of Post Office products and high levels of customer service in a new modern branch."