DOZENS of protesters marched between two Suffolk villages in an attempt to stop their popular postman from being moved to a different patch.

DOZENS of protesters marched between two Suffolk villages in an attempt to stop their popular postman from being moved to a different patch.

It emerged last week that villagers in Chelmondiston, Harkstead and Woolverstone had started a petition to keep postman Shaun Woods in their area.

Mr Woods, who has delivered letters in the villages for 13 years, could be moved elsewhere as a result of a planned reshuffle.

On Saturday, scores of villagers marched from Chelmondiston to Harkstead, holding banners and signs in a last-ditch effort to block the move.

Jacqui Martin, who signed the petition and took part in the protest, said: “We thought a march through the village streets would make people sit up and take notice.

“There were well over 50 of us and some had made special banners and signs. The strength of feeling is very high – it’s the talk of the village right now.

“More than 200 people have signed the petition and we are going to send it to the chief executive of the Post Office and the delivery manager in Ipswich next week.”

Residents in Stutton are similarly campaigning to keep their postman Karl Quinton.

Mr Woods and Mr Quinton are believed to be among about 200 postal workers from Ipswich Delivery Office who have been moved in a reshuffle.

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said: “The changes in Ipswich Delivery Office are part of Royal Mail’s much-needed �2billion modernisation programme, including the introduction of new automated machinery and delivery equipment and changes in the way our people work.

“We are confident that customers on these particular rounds will continue to receive an excellent service.”