Almost 2,000 people have signed a petition opposing plans to close a busy town centre post office in Eastbourne.

More than 50 firms have also raised petitions in a bid to save the Upperton Road branch.

Campaigners have only a fortnight before Post Office chiefs make their final decision on the branch's future.

They have been angered at the short consultation period and have urged people to bombard Post Office bosses with protest letters.

The Post Office has said the branch, one of Eastbourne's busiest, may close in November to combat losses of £65,000 a year.

Bosses have said two alternative branches are based within half-a-mile of Upperton Road, in Terminus Road and Ocklynge Road, Old Town.

They have said continuing to run the branch would be unfeasible with the huge losses it makes.

But its customers are angry, saying it would be the second such closure in Eastbourne within months, following the axing of the Whitley Road branch.

More than 5,000 leaflets have been posted to addresses across Upperton and the town centre by Eastbourne Liberal Democrats urging people to back their fight to save the branch.

And cross-party support has been gained on Liberal Democrat-held Eastbourne Borough Council.

On Saturday, a second mini-demonstration was held outside the Post Office to bolster the number of petition signatories.

Tory opposition leader Graham Marsden and his deputy Colin Belsey joined council leader Beryl Healy and other Lib Dems.

Stephen Lloyd, Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman, said today: "Our campaign is really touching a nerve with the people of Eastbourne.

"Within a week, we've collected almost 2,000 signatures, more than 50 businesses in the area are gathering petitions every day.

"And, importantly, the Federation of Small Business is behind our campaign as they are aware of the impact the closure will have on shops and businesses. I urge everyone to sign our petition."