South Gloucestershire householders in the Wotton-under-Edge postal area are signing a petition to try to stop Royal Mail moving their nearest sorting office.

Some villages have Wotton postal addresses, despite being in the former Avon area, and get their post delivered from the Wotton delivery office in Gloucestershire.

But Royal Mail wants to move the office four miles to Cam, near Dursley, citing health and safety reasons.

Villages affected include Falfield, Tytherington, Tortworth, Cromhall, Wickwar and Charfield.

Some people have started a campaign to get the decision reversed and are asking those who live in the area served by the office to add their name to the petition.

Wotton town councillor Roger Carter said the area did not want to lose the facility, which was both friendly and efficient.

Northavon MP, Steve Webb, said residents could have to wait longer for their post.

"There are a couple of issues here – one being what happens to parcels and packages if the householder is not at home to receive them. They will have to go further to Cam to collect them.

"The second is the timing of deliveries of mail. How late in the day will people get their post if the sorting office is further away?" he said.

More than 800 people have signed the petition and campaigners called a public meeting for 7.30pm on Thursday, January 15, in Wotton Civic Centre.

Royal Mail said: "There will not be any detrimental effect to either the levels of service or present delivery times in the area.

"We have met local representatives to discuss issues raised by the community relating to the move."