A PENSIONER has been so moved by the threat to Worcester's post office he has pledged £1,000 of his life savings to help save it.

Ronald Jones, aged 72, of Dines Green, says he will give that amount of money towards a fund to keep the post office in Foregate Street open.

However, Post Office spokesman Jaquie Stenson said she could not confirm whether the Post Office would accept an offer to buy the business.

She added: "Of course, we understand the high regard in which customers hold Crown Post Office branches, but the reality is that declining customer numbers and high costs mean that our network of 458 branches lost £70 million last year."

Plans are under way to move the Worcester branch to the first floor of WH Smith in High Street as part of nationwide deal to save the industry money.

Ms Stenson said: "Our partnership with WH Smith will safeguard post office services for our customers in Worcester into the future."

The people of Worcester have until close of business today to respond to the consultation and back the Worcester News campaign to keep the old post office open.

The Post Office has been given until 2011 by the Government to cut losses.

Mr Jones believes that if enough people in Worcester stick together they can send the right message to the Post Office and to the Government.

Mr Jones, of Howard Road, said: "I haven't got that much money but I'm still prepared to give something fairly substantial.

"If old people like myself are prepared to give something, surely something can be done?"

Mr Jones receives £500 a month from his state pension and only two years ago he finished paying off his mortgage after 17 years. This has allowed him to make a few savings.

The former Kay's worker has battled polio since the age of three.

And he is used to putting his money where his mouth is. He has been a charity collector for nearly 50 years, raising money for cancer and polio charities.

Worcester MP Mike Foster said: "It's a very strong sentiment that Mr Jones has expressed. It reflects the views of the vast majority of people I have spoken to who want to see first class post office facilities available where they can get to them.

"For people who have mobility difficulties - say they're in a wheelchair or a motorised scooter - they have to have ground floor access. And that is absolutely essential."

The Post Office move is scheduled to take place within the next 16 months.

Worcester Conservative Parliamentary candidate Robin Walker has already collected 1,000 signatures against the plans.

A spokesman for Worces-ter City Council said Geoff Williams, chairman of the overview and scrutiny committee, had drafted a "strongly worded letter" to the Post Office which will be submitted before the close of business today in order to meet the consultation deadline.

Second Class Service: What leading figures have said about the move

Robin Walker, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Worcester, said: "The Foregate Street branch is always very busy, and the idea that it should be closed down because it doesn't make enough money seems ridiculous."

City councillor David Clark said: "The idea of putting the post office in WH Smith is totally wrong, and to put it upstairs is ridiculous. It's sheer crass stupidity."

Former Mayor Coun Ian Imray said: "As it is a done deal, I'd like to say we should ensure the post office goes downstairs in WH Smith, not upstairs. It is the least the Post Office can do in recognition of the clientele."

Worcester MP Mike Foster said: "Now that it appears the decision has been made, it is important that everybody has easy access to Post Office services, and for me that means ground floor."

Councillor Geoff Williams, head of scrutiny at Worcester City Council, said: "I appeal to the Post Office, even at this late stage, to heed the views of the community and reverse this disasterous decision."