A political group has offered its premises to accommodate a post office until a permanent home can be found.

Residents in east Worthing have been without a local branch since the one in Lyndhurst Road, owned by deputy mayor Jack Saheid, was closed six weeks ago due to "irreconcilable differences".

Now the east Worthing branch of the East Worthing and Shoreham Labour party has offered use of its Labour Hall opposite.

Members have suggested a portable building could be placed in front to provide the vital service until a permanent solution is found.

Branch secretary Ann Saunders said the post office was a "life-line in this part of the town" and that trade in nearby small shops had suffered.

A petition, organised by residents for it to be re-opened or for another one to be opened swiftly, has accumulated 800 signatures.

The Post Office has insisted there are no plans to withdraw its services from the community and wants to re-open a branch there as soon as possible.

A spokeswoman said the practicalities of installing a computer system for a temporary post office would probably make the Labour branch's suggestion unfeasible.