Campaigners were joined by Mick Bates AM, Glyn Davies, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Montgomeryshire, county councillor Bob Davey, county councillor Bob Mills, county councillor Barry Thomas and town councillor Phillip Watkins, in a bid to save Garth Owen Post Office.

Garth Owen is one 2,500 Post Offices earmarked for closure across the country as Post Office Ltd aim to make the network viable.

"Garth Owen Post Office has been the hub of the south ward for many years, and it is enjoyed by many disabled and senior residents who find it very hard to go down into Newtown to use the main Post Office because I'm told they have to queue for ages to be served," said county councillor Bob Mills, who orchestrated the protest.

"A few months ago Nantoer Post Office closed and as a result residents from Vaynor and Trehafren use Garth Owen Post Office rather than go into the centre of town. Garth Owen Post Office has a much bigger catchment area than it is given credit for.

"Newtown is large enough for two Post Offices and Garth Owen Post Office should be kept open to its fullest capacity."

Mick Bates AM added his congratulations to Bob Mills and everyone who turned up in support of Garth Owen Post Office.

"It was a bitterly cold day and the campaign really showed the determination of the people of Garth Owen who want to save their Post Office," he said.

"Closing Garth Owen is a stupid idea as many people from all areas of Newtown use it. Newtown High School and a number of local businesses use Garth Owen Post Office so I would imagine it is financially very sound.

"On a social front Julie Rutter (the shop manager) is a central part of the community, she is someone that everyone turns to and if Garth Owen was to close a lot of people would suffer. Socially it is a very important Post Office, and if it closed I believe the shop would also be under threat.

"This is all the fault of the Labour Government. In 2006 they took away £168 million worth of business and unless they begin to make them viable they will continue to struggle."

Newtown town councillor Phillip Watkins has organised a petition with 750 signatures against the closure of Garth Owen Post Office.