Around 1,500 people attended a public demonstration in Ballina today which was organised as part of the community campaign to retain Ardnaree Post Office.

The match commenced at the Dunnes Stores car park in Ballina before proceeding to Ardnaree Post Office, where those taking part were addressed by members of the Working Group for the Retention of the post office and local public representatives.

An Post has stated the post office is at risk from the month of March on, when the current postmaster retires.

Willie Nolan, a member of the Working Group, told Midwest News this evening that the momentum is being kept up by the group, who hold weekly meetings. Mr Nolan also said 110 submissions have been received by business people calling for the retention of the post office, which have been forwarded to An Post.

Mr Nolan says there are 36 businesses within a 15 minute walk of the post office and having read the report of Bobby Kerr on the viability of post offices, Mr Nolan believes Ardnaree ticks all the boxes of a viable office.