A WHITCHURCH youngster this weekend takes centre stage in front of thousands in the campaign to save rural post offices, after winning a special competition. Erin Kinsella, 8, was one of 120 youngsters at Whitchurch Primary School to paint a picture of the village post office in a competition organised to highlight the threat to local facilities. Now Erin, as winner of the competition, will be filmed releasing 190 helium-filled balloons in the centre of Plymouth Argyle?s Home Park pitch on Sunday, before the game kicks off against Derby County ? a match being relayed live on Sky TV. She also wins a football signed by the players. Terry Kelly of Whitchurch Post Office, and vice-president of the Plymouth, North and East Cornwall branch of the National Federation of Subpostmasters, said he was delighted with the standard of pictures painted by the youngsters from Whitchurch School ? many of whom are due to visit the post office tomorrow (Friday) as part of a special fact-finding trip for Year 1 children. Mr Kelly said: ?All the paintings were really good, they are so bright and cheerful and it really helps when you are struggling to get this message across. ?But Erin?s picture absolutely hit the brief. We judged on 50% the quality of the drawing and 50% support for the campaign and she really got it absolutely right.? Mr Kelly said all the pictures will be displayed in the post office for the public to see. Second prize winner was Megan McCormick, 10, who wins a signed Plymouth Argyle shirt. Third was Caitlin Scaysbrook, 5, who wins a post office goodie bag. There were also special prizes for Daisy Hobbs, Lissie Banks and Jessica Dent. Mr Kelly said: ?We have had hundreds of signatures on the petition we intend to deliver to parliament.?
