More than 500 people have signed a petition to fight against the only post office in Dartford's town centre shutting down.

Plans to relocate the post office from Hythe Street into a WHSmith in Dartford High Street will soon be put to the public.

However, hundreds have now singed a petition to prevent the closure.

“People are rightly concerned,” said the leader of Dartford Labour Jonathan Hawkes.

“The queues are already considerable and lots of services are offered there. The current site has access for people with disabilities.

“WHSmith is small and may not offer this service.”

Mr Hawkes also fears the proposed relocation may impact the jobs of staff members who he said “work very hard in serving Dartford”.

The petition was launched on Friday (October 12) and Mr Hawkes believes the post office could close for good if it is relocated.

He said: “I would be really concerned for its survival if it moves into a franchise. It is the first step for post offices to disappear, which we have seen in other towns.

“We don’t want to take that chance because it would be a disaster. I am very optimistic that Post Office will listen to our views.”

WHSmith currently runs 135 post office branches within its stores and 40 new relocations have been planned by 2019.

Roger Gale, Post Office network and sales director, said: “WHSmith and Post Office have worked together successfully for more than a decade and our collaboration helps to secure our services on high streets for years to come.

“We’re continuing to respond to unprecedented change on high streets and in consumer trends. By adapting to the needs of customers we’re making sure post offices will matter as much tomorrow as they do today, with services available when and where people want them, in convenient locations and open for longer hours, including Sundays.”