HAWORTH Post Office has been given a reprieve.

Post Office Ltd bosses confirmed this afternoon that the branch, in Main Street, will remain open whilst community engagement is extended.

Residents launched a campaign to save the post office after plans were revealed to relocate services to a counter at the new village Co-op store.

Thousands of people signed a petition and made their views known through a public consultation.

Post Office Ltd said today the opening of a new service at the Co-op, in Station Road, would go-ahead next month. It will be known as Station Road Post Office.

But the Main Street outlet will remain open whilst its future is discussed.

Hayley Brown, network provision manager at Post Office Ltd, said: "We fully recognise the strength of feeling in the local community regarding the branch on Main Street.

"We have carefully reviewed each response we received, which has informed our response to the consultation. We must consider what is the best, sustainable solution for all customers, which is why we’ve decided it’s important to further engage with representatives of the local community to work together on achieving that aim.

“In the meantime, we’re pleased to announce that we will open a new post office inside the Co-op Foodstore in Station Road. Open seven days a week, this will enable the local community to access a wide range of our services at a time that is convenient for them including being able to send parcels and home-shopping returns, as well as withdrawing or depositing cash."

Keighley MP Robbie Moore, who backed campaigners – presenting a 6,911-signature petition in the Commons – and met Post Office Ltd bosses to discuss the issue, welcomed the decision.

He said: "I am delighted Post Office Ltd has finally listened and our much-loved post office on Main Street will stay open for the foreseeable future. Thank you to everyone who campaigned hard, putting pressure on Post Office Ltd. The fight to keep the post office service on Main Street is by no means over, but at least Post Office Ltd is now willing to listen to our community and has paused its original plans. I’ll continue to fight hard throughout the coming months to make sure our post office remains on Main Street long into the future.”