PLANS to shut four post offices in Harrogate have sparked protests from more than 2,000 people - and more are on the way to Royal Mail.

They want to close offices at Roche Avenue, Woodlands, Harlow Hill and St Winifred's Avenue.

At one collection point for signatures, the Co-op store in Harlow Hill, petition forms ran out and more had to be supplied.

Residents who use Harlow Hill Post Office have expressed their anger that their nearest office would be in Cold Bath Road.

Their councillor, Jim Clark, said: "Royal Mail seem to have dismissed the problem of elderly people negotiating Harlow Hill, which is one of the steepest roads leading out of Harrogate."

Much anger has centred on plans to shut two offices close by - at Woodlands and St Winifred's - leaving thousands of customers in south east Harrogate long distances from their nearest office, either in the town centre, Leeds Road or Starbeck.

Petitioners there have issued a "walk it" plea to postal chiefs after claims that the route to Starbeck is largely flat.

Public consultation about the planned closures end on June 25. But on June 14 the Post Office head of area, David Mellows-Facer, has agreed to attend an informal meeting of Harrogate Borough Council to answer questions about the proposals.

Meanwhile, Postwatch, the consumer watchdog for Royal Mail's postal services, has said it will oppose closures where it was not satisfied customers would still have good access to services.

The closures in Harrogate are part of plans to shut hundreds of post offices across the country.