A PENSIONER who protested about a threat to close her local post office thought it was her red letter day when postal chiefs replied saying it could still be saved.

But she was confused that the letter came ten days after a public announcement that the office would close.

"I didn't quite know what to believe - whether it had been reprieved or was definitely closing," said Joan Welch, who joined dozens of other customers battling to save Harlow Hill Post Office, in Harrogate, from closure.

In a letter dated July 23, Mrs Welch was told by Post Office chiefs: "We are currently considering all the representations we have received before making our final decision on this branch."

But, earlier, the Post Office had publicly announced not only closure of Harlow Hill office but others in Harrogate at St Winifred's, Roche Avenue and Woodlands, along with Lead Lane office in Ripon. It followed hundreds of objections.

A Post Office spokesman has apologised for an administrative error in sending the letter to Mrs Welch.

The official said Mrs Welch should have instead received a letter confirming the closure announcement.