The high-powered company spearheading the renaissance of Bradford city centre today stepped in to try to stop the closure of the Exchange Post Office.

The Bank Street branch faces the axe because Post Office Ltd says it is running at a loss.

Bosses say the long daily queues are mainly of people using it for small transactions like buying stamps and business has been hit by pensions being paid directly into bank accounts.

But angry users have started petitions and union officials are planning a public meeting this month.

Today Maud Marshall, chief executive of Bradford Centre Regeneration, said: "We are very disappointed by this proposal.

"We appreciate the Post Office has tough business decisions but the successful regeneration of the city depends on essential services such as the post office for businesses and individuals.

"I think we will be submitting our concerns. We hope a campaign convinces them to think again.

"It is on a pivotal city centre site and we do not see the two other city centre post offices performing the function."

Sharmila Gandhi, chief executive of Bradford Vision - a partnership made up of the district's leading organisations - said she was also surprised by the plan.

"I share the surprise which many local people have expressed that such a busy post office as the one in Bank Street should even be considered for closure.

"Post Office services are essential to everyone and need to be located in places where local people, particularly the elderly, can access them as conveniently as possible, either by public transport or on foot. Bank Street is centrally located and always appears to be very popular.

"We will be urging all our members and their partners to take part in the consultation process which gives everyone a chance to express their views about this proposal."

Post Office Ltd wants to improve Sunbridge Road and Darley Street Post Offices to take extra customers if it shuts Bank Street.

The proposals are part of a major restructuring programme by the Post Office of 9,000 of its offices. A public consultation period on the proposed Exchange office closure ends on September 28.