NEIGHBOURS fear they will lose their hamlet’s only postbox.

Residents in Tottleworth, near Rishton, are battling to keep their postbox in its usual place in Tottleworth Road after suggestions it could be moved nearer to Rishton’s Hermitage Street.

Rishton Royal British Legion have posted leaflets to Tottleworth homes, suggesting the box be moved to replace one removed in Rishton last year from James Street.

RBL branch secretary Carole Green said the leaflets were a consultation they undertook for Royal Mail as to whether moving the postbox was viable.

However, the plan has been met with anger by Tottleworth residents.

Jean Davies said the move would be ridiculous.

She said: “We don’t know how involved Royal Mail is in this plan, but suggesting to them that we can do without a postbox is unbelievable.”

RBL Secretary Carole Green said: “We have been looking at options on behalf of our members who are without a postbox now.

"There is one in the centre of Rishton, but that leaves a large portion of Rishton too far away from one.

“We just wanted feedback on how far along Tottleworth Road the post box could be moved towards Hermitage Street in Rishton.

"With some feedback we can find something mutually beneficial for everybody.”

The removal of the James Street postbox last year saw a petition with 440 names sent to Royal Mail.

Campaigners said it left more than 1,000 residents, many of them pensioners, with a steep climb uphill to the post office.