The closure had been appealed against twice

A south Wales community united against the closure of its post office is celebrating following news that it has been saved.

Nearly all of Cwmparc in Rhondda signed a petition against the threatened closure, said organiser Phil Jeremiah.

A petition of around 1,600 names collected from just 1,200 homes in the small community showed the depth of feeling, he said.

The nearest post office, a bus ride away to many residents, is in Treorchy, said Mr Jeremiah.

"This shows the little people can and do make things happen," added Mr Jeremiah, a council caretaker.

News of the proposed closure came last October.

Closure would have meant a long tough steep journey for pensioners and families to Treorchy. MP Chris Bryant

A six-week public consultation period followed as well as a meeting organised by campaigners.

"Closure would have been a death knell for some of the businesses in the community," said Mr Jeremiah.

"We have a bus service to Treorchy but that stops at a certain time of the day and re-starts later.

"We went all around Cwmparc and got between 1,600 to 1,800 names - and there's only 1,200 houses, that's a reflection on what people thought."

Rhondda Mr Chris Bryant, who was involved in the campaign, said he was delighted Cwmparc was going to stay open.

Pensioners

"Many people remember the film Very Annie Mary and will know how beautiful and rural Cwmparc is.

"As in many rural and semi-rural areas Cwmparc Post Office is an integral part of the life of the local community.

"Closure would have meant a long tough steep journey for pensioners and families to Treorchy.

Eifion Pritchard, chairman of Postwatch Wales, said he was pleased Cwmparc would not be closed.

The closure had been appealed against twice - once at a local level and again in London.

Mr Pritchard said another recent success was the saving of Tower Hill post office in Llanelli.

Across Wales about 150 post offices are set to shut as the company aims to modernise.

However, strong representations from the public, Postwatch and people in the community meant Cwmparc will not close, said a spokesman for Post Office Ltd.