CAMPAIGNING residents have spoken of their relief the Post Office has agreed to replace a postbox which was removed by developers.

The Golden Cross post office, just off Ashingdon Road, Rochford, closed about two years ago, but the large, free-standing postbox remained in the neighbouring car park.

Villagers were worried last week, when it disappeared, since the village's other smaller boxes were filling up so quickly.

David Hanrahan, 69, of Spencer Gardens, said: "After the closure of the Post Office we really didn't want another service taken away.

"The nearest other postboxes are wall-boxes, but they are quite far away and get full really quickly.

"We've already had problems with them getting so full with letters and birthday cards, children have taken them on their way home from school."

The new postbox will be sited outside shops in Heddingham Place, though the Post Office has yet to agree its exact location with utilities companies to ensure it does not disturb cables or pipes.

Nick Martins, spokesman for the Post Office, said: "We were asked to remove the post box by the landowner. We always do remove them when we are asked.

"We are looking to site a box about 50 yards down the road from the previous one, outside some shops."

Mr Martins said the company hoped a new box would be in place by the end of July