MANAGERS of the city centre post office are calling on council chiefs to repair faulty street lighting after complaints from pensioners struggling to find their way in the dark.

Fasel Mansoor, manager of Keybase who run the Theatre Street post office, says customers are stumbling to get to the post office due to the lack of adequate street lighting.

Although council chiefs pledged to repair the faulty street light, next to the post office, within five working days, Mr Mansoor claims it was reported to Preston City Council a week last Monday.

Now one elderly customer, who has asked not to be named, has dubbed the area a "mugger's paradise" claiming pensioners could be attacked while using the post office.

And Mary Ball, 80, of New Hall Lane, said: "It needs more lighting than what they've got. It was better when it was central. I wouldn't come down here in the dark now."

Mr Mansoor said: "One woman stumbled over the post box last week.

"This is the city's main post office and we have a lot of foot-flow through here, especially at Christmas. It's ridiculous that the street lights don't work. The nights are drawing in and it's pitch black.

"It is an accident waiting to happen. It has been more than a week now and as more and more regional post offices close next year our customer base will get larger. It's a hazard."

A council spokesman said that the light was repaired last week but must have broken again and they said they would be sending someone out to have another look.

Councillor Andy Campbell, executive member for environment and sustainability said: "An engineer has inspected the area and whilst improvements were undertaken some years ago, it's clear that with the increased pedestrian usage, improved lighting would be beneficial.

"It is therefore proposed to undertake lighting improvements during the next financial subject to the availability of sufficient funds."