A senior Solihull councillor says there has been "significant interest" in bringing a post office back to the town centre after the recent closure of the Mell Square branch.

TGJones closed its store in Mell Square earlier this month taking the Post Office branch inside with it.

The closure means that as it now stands Solihull residents are forced to travel to the nearest post office just over a mile away in Elmdon Heath.

As the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) previously reported Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council's (SMBC) leader Cllr Karen Grinsell has said the authority is working with Post Office Ltd "to support potential franchise applications by exploring suitable premises within the town centre".

And Meriden and Solihull East MP Saqib Bhatti has also written to Neil Brocklehurst, chief executive of Post Office Ltd, suggesting a temporary solution of a mobile post office service.

The issue was raised at the latest SMBC meeting on July 7 with Cllr Bob Grinsell saying a town centre post office branch is a "vital resource for many residents, particularly elderly people who rely on this facility".

"Can the portfolio holder tell me what steps the council is taking to work with the Post Office to secure a suitable, accessible and centrally located replacement facility within our town centre?" the councillor asked.

Cllr Heather Delaney, the cabinet portfolio holder for economy, business and skills, replied: "The Post Office counter provision is obviously a private contractual relationship between the franchise currently TG Jones, and Post Office Counters Ltd.

"Our understanding is Post Office Counters Ltd is committed to retaining a post office in Solihull town centre, has advertised the opportunity and there has been significant interest.

"The council's managing and letting agents are working with candidates to look at potential provision of space within Mell Square to accommodate any successful bid."

Cllr Delaney said the council had not been provided with a timescale but added: "However I'm sure it won't take the 10 years of hard work it has taken us to get a new location for a police station."

The TG Jones store closed on July 11 with a sign put on the door which says: "We've now closed this store. Thank you for shopping with us."

In a previous statement a Post Office spokesperson said: "We know how important our products and services are to the local community.

"We have advertised the vacancy and would welcome interest from retailers looking to host a post office branch within their store.

"More details are available at runapostoffice.co.uk. There is also a Post Office at Elmdon Heath."