People in East Keswick, near Wetherby, have signed an 800-name petition calling on the Post Office to keep open the shop.

Resident Melanie Smith, who is spearheading the campaign, has put up "use it of lose it" signs at both entry points to the village.

She said the tactic appeared to be working as trade at the shop had gone up, and she is now asking everyone who signed the original petition to write to the Post Office and their MP.

She said: "The post office is the hub of the village and Diane Webb, who has been running it for the past eight years and her sister Hazel offer support to sick and elderly residents, calling in on vulnerable inhabitants and keeping them in touch with village news.

"For locals like 93-year-old Hilda Dobson, who has lived in the village for over 50 years, it is a lifeline."

Mrs Smith said the next nearest post office is three miles away at Harewood.

East Keswick Parish Council chairman John Priestley said: "For most of our elderly residents there is no realistic alternative."