The future of a village Post Office hangs in the balance with residents fearing the "vital" service could be lost or moved elsewhere.

Campaigners and staff in Ibstock fear that the Post Office and Royal Mail sorting office on High Street could close or be relocated after bosses said that the current lease is set to expire in February 2027.

Post Office bosses have confirmed that the current operator has decided not to continue leasing, leaving the building's future in limbo.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) spoke to manager Kathryn Parkinson, who said the building was "more than a Post Office".

She said: "With banks closing, we have a lot of people who use us around here to withdraw money or post letters.

"It's a hub. We've have plenty of people who see us as more than just a Post Office and businesses who want to support us".

Four jobs could be lost, but Mrs Parkinson told the LDRS she fears it could be moved to a nearby shop with far fewer facilities than the High Street building – and claims the current building landlord is still "happy" to keep the building as a Post Office.

A Change.org online petition, set up by one of the staff members, Jo Cundell, has garnered more than 600 signatures, and a paper petition has received "tons" of support from residents.

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Mrs Parkinson added: "The response has been amazing, and we're still waiting for businesses to send back paper petitions to us that people have signed.

"We're really happy that people don't want to see anything change. People have been furious and they've been coming in just to sign the petition".

Conservative county councillor Craig Smith has also joined in calls to keep the Post Office open and said that losing this essential service would create "difficulties for many people in the village and leave a gaping hole in the High Street".

However, a Post Office spokesperson confirmed that it has received interest from parties regarding the lease vacancy and is working with them to determine next steps for the premises.

They said: "The lease on the premises used for Ibstock Post Office expires next February. The current operator has decided not to renew the lease, and a resignation has been received for when the lease ends.

"We know how important a Post Office is to a community and the vacancy has already been advertised. We have interested retailers, and we are working closely with those retailers to then decide which option to take forward. In the meantime, Ibstock Post Office is open as normal".

The LDRS contacted Royal Mail for comment on the future of the sorting office.