THERE'S outrage in Winchester as residents launch a campaign to resurrect their local post office and shop.

People living in Hyde are now considering setting up their own community store on Egbert Road to avoid losing the facility to developers.

They are keen to find someone with the appropriate expertise to step forward and take charge of the project.

Sue Noakes, 38, of Egbert Road, who's leading the campaign, said: "The shop and post office was a focal point, most especially for older people in the area. It was a social part of the community, somewhere to meet up and have a chat. It was very convenient and it has been hugely missed. It's a real hassle, especially for older people, to get into town or to walk to the nearest alternative.

"We are really keen to find someone with a bit of experience who may be able to run it. We need someone with the drive to take the project on. It's got great potential."

The former post office and community shop closed in August when the previous owners retired.

Locals launched a campaign called SOS (Save Our Shop) after a planning application was submitted to the city council to turn it into three flats.

They want to come up with a business plan that will persuade the landlord to lease them the building instead.

Planning bosses have previously thrown out a similar application on the grounds that not enough effort had been made to market the property for retail use. A recent meeting on the issue attracted around 50 people and many of them vowed to lodge objections with city planners against the proposals.

Cllr Dominic Hiscock, who chaired the meeting, said: "We are looking for a group of people to take this on as a project to see if it would be viable because we don't know if it's a realistic venture or not. There are plenty of people willing to give help but these things always need a champion to run them."

Neighbours have also voiced concern about the potential impact on parking, overlooking and the loss of a magnolia tree, that a residential development would create.