RESIDENTS of a Southampton neighbourhood have failed to save their post office, despite gaining the support of local councillors and collecting a petition of almost 700 signatures.

The sub-post office, which forms part of the One Stop shop in Butts Road, Sholing, was due to close yesterday after Tesco took the shop over.

The supermarket giant plans to convert it into a Tesco Express store and both the post office and chemist are to go.

Residents were angered by the plans when they were announced in September last year, claiming that they relied heavily on both services and that many would find it difficult to get to the next nearest post office in Montague Avenue and the nearest chemist in Woolston.

Within just a few weeks they had collected a petition of almost 700 signatures.

Their campaign had the backing of Sholing ward councillors June Bridle and Sue Blatchford, as well as Southampton Itchen MP John Denham.

Tesco bosses said it was not possible to retain the post office within the planned Tesco Express but pledged to try and transfer the post office locally to a new location under new ownership.

But the company has said it had not been possible.

Labour MP Mr Denham said that Tesco had let down the residents of Sholing by failing to provide post office facilities.

"I am very disappointed that Tesco is going ahead with the closure of the post office even though it has not managed to find a new home for it," he said.

"I think Tesco has let everyone down. There are many pensioners in this area and many of them will find it difficult to get to post offices outside the area."

Campaigner Pat Aylett, 71, of Canterbury Avenue, near One Stop, said: "What are we supposed to do?

"Where are we supposed to go for our pensions?

"I can drive so I can get myself to Bitterne, but a lot of people can't even walk, let alone anything else. It is just not on."

A spokesman for Tesco said the company had done everything in its power to try and find an alternative location for the post office but that it had not been possible.

"Reluctantly we are closing the post office without having an alternative premises," he said.

"We have tried and have been talking to a number of interested parties, all of whom decided not to proceed.

"We will continue to look for someone to take it on and will support any application to do so," he added.

The One Stop will close on Saturday for about four weeks while it is being converted into a Tesco Express. The chemist is being moved to the old video shop in Butts Road.

Anyone interested in running a post office can call John Church at Tesco on 01992 646606.