BROMYARD residents are celebrating after Royal Mail scrapped its plan to move the town's delivery office to Leominster.

In March, the Hereford Times revealed the plan to relocate its Bromyard delivery operation. It was planned that the 15 staff from Bromyard would be moved to the Leominster delivery office to improve the efficiency of its operation and to make savings.

But earlier this week Royal Mail announced a U-turn after hearing concerns from staff, customers and the council and, as a result, agreed an option put forward by the Communication Workers Union.

In a statement to the Hereford Times, Royal Mail said: "The union suggestion means that the business can achieve the necessary efficiency savings and maintain the operation in Bromyard Business Park.

"The agreement was reached following meetings with Royal Mail staff and local councillors and the postmen and women were formally told the news at the end of last week."

Part of the new agreement will see delivery work transferred from Clifton Post Office to Bromyard delivery office in early July, as the subpostmistress is retiring.

Delivery office manager for Herefordshire Ricky Sault said: "After careful consideration following meetings with the staff and local councillors we have decided Bromyard will remain open following an agreement between Royal Mail and the CWU. We have listened and taken into account the views of our staff and customers."

The Mayor of Bromyard, Jonathan Lester, said: "This is really good news, the sorting office is a valuable asset to the community and this is a positive step forward by Royal Mail. I am really pleased that they made this decision."

County councillor Bernard Hunt, who campaigned to keep the Bromyard depot open, said: "I am delighted by Royal Mail's change of heart.

"They have decided to bring into Bromyard some of the WR6 postcode areas including Clifton upon Teme and this may be extended in the future to include Bishops Frome and even Bringsty."

He added: "Local households in the HR7 area or local businesses must breathe a sigh of relief. Previous plans to close Bromyard and deliver from Leominster would have put their delivery times back between one and three hours."