A Telford post office whose planned closure prompted a tide of protest and a petition to Downing Street looks set to get an eleventh-hour reprieve, it was revealed today.

Mail watchdog Postwatch has written to Post Office warning if the firm presses ahead with plans to close the Randlay branch, it will force the company to rethink the decision.

That would involve going through an agreed review procedure and could see the matter taken all the way up to the desk of Royal Mail chairman Allan Leighton.

The ultimatum to either reconsider the Randlay closure or scrap the plan altogether was made with just days to go before Post Office announces where the axe will fall in Shropshire – 28 branches were earmarked for closure under a national review to shut 2,500 branches nationwide.

In a letter to Post Office management, Postwatch Midlands chairman Najma Hafeez says there is no case for the closure of Randlay post office.

He cites as evidence proposals for a £4 million regeneration of Randlay which would see a significant redevelopment of the local centre, including a shopping precinct.

He says the planned redevelopment of Telford town centre will also create a potential £1 billion spend in an area less than one mile from the town centre.

Mr Hafeez writes: “For these reasons, Postwatch considers a post office should remain in this area.

“Accordingly, should you decide to proceed with this closure, Postwatch would initiate the agreed review process.”

Council leader Councillor Andrew Eade said: “This is potentially very good news and shows all the hard work and lobbying by all concerned has been worth it.”

Hollinswood and Randlay Parish Council clerk, Katrina Baker, said the dramatic development was “absolutely brilliant”.

Campaigner Tom Biggins, who handed in an 1,800-signature petition to Downing Street protesting at the planned closure, said he was delighted by Postwatch’s move.

Post Office spokesman Nick Martins said an announcement would be made publicly once a final decision was taken.

By Simon Hardy and Lizzie Yates