A BIG-HEARTED minibus driver is ferrying pensioners up and down a steep hill for free so they can send Christmas cards and parcels after the sudden closure of a town centre Post Office.

The small post office in Westgate, Baildon, shut last month - before a six week public consultation into a proposed move round the corner had even begun.

The Post Office wanted to re-open its services with extended opening hours and services in McColl's newsagent in Northgate in early Spring.

But tenancy issues meant it shut just before the Christmas rush - leaving elderly folk with a steep walk up and down Browgate to the nearest office in Ronnie's newsagent and store on the Station Road.

But now local minibus owner Michael Fryer has stepped into the breach and is providing a free service to former Westgate Post Office customers unable to walk to and from Station Road.

His next date is tomorrow, every 15 minutes from the lower half of Ian Clough car park from 10am and 12pm, followed by the trips during the same two hours on Tuesday, December 29 and Tuesday, January 5.

"Councillor Debbie Davies contacted me to see if if I could help and I though 'why not?'" said Baildon resident of 30 years, Mr Fryer, who runs Michael's Private Hire.

"I can spare a couple of hours at that time of day, so I'll happily run people down to Ronnie's and then back up the steep hill - which is probably the most important bit!"

Cllr Davies (Con, Baildon) said she was delighted Mr Fryer had agreed immediately.

"He just said yes straight away with out any hesitation, which was lovely.

"It will really help those who might struggle to get back up the big hill - especially those elderly people who still want to get out and about.

"Obviously, it's not an ideal situation, but Michael's really helping."

She said the idea of an emergency bus had first been suggested to her by Baildon Travel manageress Kathryn Clegg, who also praised Mr Fryer's generosity.

"It's a really nice gesture.

"We know quite a lot of elderly people who said how disappointed they were the Westgate Post Office shut just before Christmas.

"It did seem a silly time to close it down.

"But there's a great community spirit in Baildon and everyone always tries to help each other out," Mrs Clegg said.

Cllr Davies said she believed the original opening date for the McColl's Post Office was to be brought forward from March to January.

A Post Office spokesman said: "I am pleased to say we will be restoring Post Office services to customers in Baildon and I hope to be in a position soon to confirm the exact date of the opening."

For further information about the free bus service please contact Cllr Debbie Davies on 01274 587834 or www.michaelsprivatehire.com or telephone 07966 965977