More than 5,000 people have joined the fight to save Burgess Hill's town centre post office from closure.

They all signed a petition to keep the post office open. It was handed to post office line manager, Julie Diver.

The post office, in Church Walk, first came under threat in December when the Co-operative Store, which ran it as a franchise, closed down.

Co-op bosses agreed to keep the post office going until their franchise runs out in October.

B-Wise took over the site, opening a new store in June, and although the post office is in the same building it has confirmed it will not be taking over the franchise.

Consignia leaders have been forced to look for a new franchisee and new premises but have not yet found anything.

If the post office closes, people will be forced to use one of the three sub-post offices out of the town centre or travel to Haywards Heath.

Ms Diver assured councillors, at a meeting of Burgess Hill Town Council's town centre strategy group, Consignia wanted to make sure its customers continued to have full access to their services.

She said: "Discussions are being held with B-Wise about the future of the existing branch in its store, but no decisions have yet been taken.

"The Post Office fully appreciates the strength of feeling in Burgess Hill over this issue."

She said it was keen to hear from anyone who might be interested in taking over the running of the post office.

Councillor Heather Ross, chairman of the strategy group, said: "I hope 5,291 signatures reinforces the message and I did feel the Post Office was listening to the message put forward by the group.

"It is vital we retain a main post office with a full range of services in the town centre.

"We have got lots of businesses in the town and lots of people who rely on it. We are the largest town in Mid Sussex and losing our post office would be disastrous.

"If B-Wise was to keep it, it would bring people into the shop and do it no end of good. It makes good business sense."

Anyone interested in embarking on a new business venture with the Post office can gain advice from the Enterprise Centre, which holds advice surgeries in the Town Council Help Point every Friday.