Trevor Brocklehurst, from Town End Post Office, made his appeal to members of Chapel Parish Council after explaining that the business was no longer viable.

His is one of five branches threatened by closure in the High Peak.

He said changes in Government policy five years ago saw a 40 per cent drop in trade his business and it had declined to be at most 25 to 30 percent of what it was.

With fewer people going into the post office it meant other items such a greeting cards were not selling.

Cllr Liam McCarthy said: "We used to get child benefit from the Town End Post Office we actually kept it for as long as possible because we felt we should support post offices but eventually they gave us no option but to pay it into the bank.

Cllr Mike Smith, also a member of the regeneration partnership said the partnership had objected to the closure because Town End was a separate community and it would be hard for the elderly or infirm to get to the town's other post office.

Mr Brocklehurst said the elderly and inform often get family or someone else to get it for them.

While having sympathy with the position the business was in Cllr Mike Harrison said it was important it was retained. He described as "utterly deplorable" the way customers had been driven away by the withdrawing of services at post offices.

The Council agreed to write to the Post Office to see if the post office would be moved into an existing business in the Town End area as it was a vital service for community.

They also gave their backing to efforts to retain the part time post office in Dove Holes, held in the Methodist Church.

Resident Ken Gibson helping to spearhead the campaign said it was vital to residents and alternative post offices were difficult to get to.

Cllr Peter Harrison said: "Steps have been taken to make it more economical having it within an existing community facility."

The Post Office had also become an focal point for the village, the meeting heard.