Local councillors will be among speakers fighting to save Ryhall Road post office at the gathering on Saturday, November 3.

Ryhall Road was named as one of the branches facing closure when a consultation period began on October 2. Already 4,000 customers have signed a petition which will be be sent to the Post Office ahead of the consultation deadline of November 12.

Stamford MP Quentin Davies (Lab) will attend the rally and Conservative parliamentary candidate Nick Boles is expected to be there, along with town councillors.

Naomi Hibbitt, of the Friends of Ryhall Road post office, which is organising the event, said: "We prefer to call it a gathering rather than a protest rally, but our message is clear – this post office must not close."

Mayor Jon Poznanski said he would be there to "express our dismay at the proposal".

Staunch post office supporter and town councillor Bill Turner (Lab), who will be speaking at the event, urged people to attend. "This post office is vital for business and all of the people in that area," he said. "If people want to keep the post office open, I urge them to come along."

Town councillor Maureen Riley (Lib Dem) said closure should not be threatened at such an important branch.

She said: "You've got to do what you can to keep post offices open. You can't just sit back and let these things happen."

Councillor Michael Exton (Con) said: "What we must do is show our support for the Ryhall Road post office and any other post offices under threat of closure."

The protesters will gather at 10.30am in the car park outside Currys, Homebase and Carpetright.

The New College Stamford car park in Drift Road has been offered for overflow parking if required.

Naomi, of St George's Avenue, said: "We are not expecting to march as many people who will attend are disabled or elderly. But we will express our support in no uncertain terms."

Naomi can be contacted on 01780 482249 or 07983564495, or by e-mail at NAOMIHIBBITT@aol.com