A 'vital and popular' east Manchester post office which was at risk of closure has been saved.
The Post Office on Wellington Street in Gorton was set to shut its doors on January 12 after its current operator stepped down.
That sparked outcry from locals with more than 1,000 people signing a petition pleading for it be kept open.
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Bosses said last month they were searching for a replacement operator but that the branch would have to close if one couldn't be found before that date.
However, a temporary postmaster has now been appointed, meaning it would now remain open, the company confirmed this afternoon.
“The current operator for Gorton has resigned and the branch was due to close later this month" a Post Office spokesperson said.
"However, we are pleased to announce that we have now appointed a temporary Postmaster to operate the branch whilst we continue to look for a permanent solution.
“We know how important Gorton Post Office is to the community and the branch will remain open without any break in service.”
Gorton MP Afzal Khan, along with ward councillors Julie Reid and John Hughes, met with Post Office bosses this afternoon where the news was shared with them.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News afterwards, Mr Khan said: "I am absolutely delighted, it is a welcome new year's present for the area.
"This is a popular Post Office and a vital one. Moving forward we just need to make sure from a temporary postmaster to a permanent one.
"However I have been assured there are a number of people who are experienced and who have shown interest, so we are hopeful of it becomes a permanent basis."
The nearest Post Offices from the Wellington Road site are more than a mile away, with a smaller Post Office on Mount Road or Manchester Road in Denton.
The online petition, started by Justine McNamee-Hill and signed 1,044 times at the of writing said: "This is a much needed, and well used community facility.
"We don’t have a bank in Gorton, so many people use this Post Office for their banking needs, as well as all the other invaluable services that are provided there.
"Without this Post Office, elderly or disabled people, and people without their own transport will have a much harder journey to the nearest branch.
"The closure of this Post Office will make it a lot harder for the people of Gorton, and the wider area, to access the services that are provided there."
