The petition of 1,222 signatures was posted outside the threatened Craigweil branch by MP Nick Gibb with the postmasters, Barbara and Robin Doe.

They were joined last Friday by the petition's organiser, Aldwick parish councillor Jill Ostler.

Mr Gibb, the MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, said: "I am pleased to be a part of the campaign to save the post offices. It is a real pleasure to receive this petition and to send this to Post Office Ltd.

"We need to do everything we can to save the five post offices threatened with closure."

The petition was sent to Post Office Ltd just before Monday's deadline for public responses to the closure plans. As well as the Craigweil branch in Barrack Lane, the company wants to shut the branches in Station Road, Hawthorn Road, Gordon Avenue (South Bersted) and Aldwick Street (Aldwick).

A decision about which ones will go will be made next month. Closures will take place in May.

Cllr Mrs Ostler said told Post Office Ltd that axing the Craigweil branch would be a devastating blow to its 400-499 customers a week. The service was an integral part of the lives of the mainly elderly residents who lived in the surrounding area.

They would be victimised if the branch closed.

She stated: "Right now you seem to be utterly callous and indifferent and mindless of the social importance of Craigweil Post Office.

"Closure, I assure you, will devastate the lives of the elderly in this area. And that cannot be right.

"They will not be seen to be getting anything remotely resembling decent treatment if this post office closes.

"They will be, and will be seen to be, targeted and penalised for daring to live long.

"And what an indictment upon the post office and our country, in 2008, will that be?"

The nearest alternative branch at Rose Green was a lengthy walk away for anyone without a car. Many would be unable to make that journey, she added.

Those with their own transport would find difficult parking in Rose Green in spaces which were privately owned by two of the local businesses.

She added that the strength of feeling towards Craigweil Post Office was shown by the 250 people who turned out last month in the first public protest in the area's 80-year history.

They also comprised about a third of the 100-strong audience at a public meeting in the Alexandra Theatre about the closures.