HUNDREDS of people have signed a petition against a controversial decision to move Worcester's main post office into a city centre store.

Conservative parliamentary candidate Robin Walker stood outside the Foregate Street office on Saturday, protesting against the Government's decision to relocate it upstairs at WH Smith in the High Street.

With the help of former city mayor Ian Imray and Worcester City Councillor Lucy Hodgson, 426 signatures were collected in just two hours. Mr Walker said he was thrilled with the response.

"It went exceptionally well in terms of support," he said.

"We had three boards out permanently."

Mr Walker said this was a "hugely important" campaign.

"Post offices are being attacked from all directions," he said.

"The Government is closing down a Crown post office like this and closing down community post offices, which means that more people are going to be forced into an ever smaller number of post offices."

Mr Walker said the public felt so strongly, they planned to petition again soon.

Coun Imray said he was concerned by the large number of customers with pushchairs and electric scooters.

"I just query how Smiths is going to cope," he said.

"One lift is going to be inadequate when you look at the number of people with pushchairs. It's going to cause terrible problems."

Coun Imray said he was thrilled with the support for the campaign.

"It's been absolutely fantastic," he added.

"Everyone asked has signed and they have been crossing the road to sign because they feel so strongly about it."

The Foregate Street office is set to close in the next 18 months - ending 139 years of history.

It is one of 70 Crown branches nationwide being transferred into the High Street giant's stores.