A stunning 9,416 people have pledged to Stand up for Post Offices as part of The Gazette's campaign to save 12 under threat branches across the Fylde coast.

The six-week consultation period - which will decide the fate of the offices - comes to an end on Monday.

And The Gazette will take the fight to Royal Mail's Watford HQ, delivering 9,416 good reasons why postal bosses should think again.
Residents, businesses, Fylde-based entertainers such as Frank Carson and Mo Moreland, and politicians from across the political divide have come together to back these vital local facilities.

With more than 2,200 signatures, support for the St Annes Road post office in South Shore has been overwhelming.
Lorna Spence, assistant manager, said: "It's amazing. The support has been great, the customers have been fantastic."

Julian Wigley, sub-postmaster at Torsway Avenue Post Office in Layton, said: "People have come in droves to sign the petition. I've been humbled by the support we've had. I'd like to say a big thank you to everybody who's supported us."

More than 1,000 Lytham residents signed the petition to save Warton Street post office. They even took to the streets in protest a fortnight ago.

Sub-postmaster Mark Bamforth said he has been moved by the level of support for the business - which has been in the family for 44 years.
He said: "It's excellent. The MPs, councillors and the locals have been very supportive. It's quite moving really to see all these people supporting us. The customers are part of the family. They have seen me grow up."

And nearly 1,400 have signed up for Red Bank Road post office in Bispham.

Customer assistant Judith Bodjaja said: "We just want to say thanks for the support. Let's hope it has some effect and it will save the business and help the locals."

MPs across the Fylde praised The Gazette's campaign.
Blackpool North and Fleetwood MP, Joan Humble, said: "I congratulate The Gazette on the campaign. It's so important for people to have access to a local post office."

Michael Jack, MP for Fylde, said: "The Gazette campaign has successfully measured the public response to the proposals. Warton Street post office is providing a great service to the east side of Lytham."

And Ben Wallace, MP for Lancaster and Wyre, said: "I think this shows that people power is alive and well. The Post Office and the Government need to listen.

"This has been a great campaign by The Gazette and it shows that the readership in Blackpool cares about the local community and The Gazette cares about the people."

Gazette Editor David Helliwell said: "More than 9,000 people have taken the time and trouble to register their support through us and we believe that strength of feeling should be taken into account.

"Campaigns in other parts of the country have raised a fraction of this support even though a great many more post offices have been affected. That proves the people of the Fylde realise the value of these businesses as both a service provider and community centre point.

"We hope that Post Office bosses will be true to their word and consider carefully before taking away facilities that have such support."

THE SUPPORT (where people have signed up)

St Annes Raid PO, South Shore - 2,267
Torsway Avenue PO, Layton - 2,076
Hodderway PO, Poulton - 1,405
Red Bank Road PO, Bispham - 1,389
Warton Street PO, Lytham - 1,001
Lighthouse PO, Fleetwood - 320
Victoria Road West PO, Cleveleys - 263
All other offices - 695
Total - 9,416