Business is booming at a post office saved from the axe, after customers rallied round to keep it open.

Regular users of The Butts post office in Walsall held a protest last autumn when they discovered the branch inside Johal News was among five in the area earmarked for closure.

But postmaster Jaz Johal today said residents had kept their word by supporting the Butts Road premises which allows elderly and disabled people to pick up their pension, benefits and send letters.

It is also well used by businesses in the area. When the Express & Star paid a visit there was a steady stream of customers heading for the counter.

Mr Johal said: “It is going very well and is very busy here now. I would like to say thank you to all the people who have rallied round. People like Bob Barnard who organised the campaign and Councillor Mohammed Arif.

“More people are using the post office now and we have picked up business from the closed branches in Rushall and Stafford Street.”

Customer, retired David Harvey, aged 64, said: “I’m absolutely delighted it was saved. It is a first class post office. A lot of disabled people live in this area and they find it easier than trying to go into town.”

Self-employed David Grogan, 60, of Mellish Road, said: “It was stupid to threaten to close it in the first place, especially when they were planning to close others nearby as well.

“I have a business and I send all my mail from here.”

Mellish Road couple Gordon Cook, 78, and his wife Ivy, 76, said they liked to have the post office on their doorstep. “I don’t like those automated systems in the bigger post offices,” said Mr Cook. “I’ve waited 20 minutes to get a stamp at the main branch.”

Anthony Styles, 71, of Borneo Street, Butts, said: “I’ve lived here for 49 years and I’m very happy to have the post officer here. At Darwall Street post office the queues are really long.”

Diana Cordell, 63, of Coalpool, said: “I like it here because the staff are efficient and you can have a laugh with them. There is strong sense of community here as well.”

Resident Brenda Tidmarsh, 76, of Upper Forster Street, Butts, said: “I’m glad the post office is still here for the use of the people who can’t get into the town centre to the main branch. We would miss it if it wasn’t here. This is a small community and it helps to have your own post office.”

Butts was the only branch locally to survive a hit list. Others at Delves, Dudley Fields, Rushall, and Stafford Street post office on the outskirts of Walsall town centre were all shut down.