BATTLING pensioners celebrated after learning they had saved their post office from closing. Hours of protesting paid off for elderly residents, as it will be business as normal at the sub post office at Safeway in Princes Park, Chatham.

Company bosses had considered closing the service in the Princes Avenue store to create more shop space. Demonstrators included elderly and disabled people living in sheltered accommodation in nearby Dove Close.

Their anger turned to joy yesterday when Safeway announced that a re-fit for the store would go ahead but the post office would remain intact. Chatham and Aylesford MP Jonathan Shaw launched the campaign for the post office, receiving 230 protest signatures in two hours. He also joined hundreds of banner-waving residents in two demonstrations last month to save the service.

Mr Shaw said: "This is tremendous news and I congratulate everyone who has been involved in the campaign. It seems common sense has prevailed. This post office is a vital service for the elderly and disabled living nearby.''