AN appeal for funds has been made by Haslewey Community Centre to enable it to restore the Lion Green Post Office service on in its Wey Hill site next to Tesco.

Angered by the closure of the Lion Green branch in March 2016, more than 3,000 residents signed a petition to re-open the facility last August.

The Post Office has now approved a plan to convert office space in Haslewey’s foyer as a community branch. But the charity needs to raise £15,000 to pay for the building works, which include changes to meet strict security criteria.

“We are very grateful to Post Office Counters for installing the equipment,” Hasleway manager Kerry Morren-Jeffs said. “The shortfall is the infrastructure costs. It will have to be made like a bank.

“We are taking it on as a franchise for the community and we hope all those people who were passionate enough to sign our petition will want to make a donation so that we can start the building works in time to be open by Christmas.”

• To donate online go to www.haslewey.org.

Payments can be made by cheque made out to HDCC (Haslemere and District Community Centre)Lion Green, Haslemere GU27 1LD.