A CASH office will close despite opposition from thousands of people, leading councillors decided last night.

The Church Hill cash office, in Walthamstow, is used by people to pay council bills and rent over the counter as well as to obtain information.

But cabinet members decided last night to close the office in order to save £200,000, meaning residents will have to either pay online, or use Post Office or Pay Point services.

Public sector union UNISON collected more than 3,000 signatures from people opposed to the closure.

It believes the decision will remove choice.

Len Reece, a UNISON member, told councillors: “There are still many people who prefer to pay in cash or in person.

“It's all very well saying the Post Office or or other units can take the strain, but those of you who use the local post offices know the queues are already quite horrendous.”

According to figures supplied to the Guardian by UNISON, 148,342 items were dealt with by the cash office in 2008/09 compared to just 5,576 in the council's four Waltham Forest Direct shops, making it a popular service.

But Cllr John Macklin, deputy council leader and member for finance, said: “There is no question about the quality and care in which staff do their job, it is very good, it is outstanding and they do provide a valuable service.

“But are we saying that people can't pay in cash? No, we are not.

“What we are trying to do is make it so there are more outlets across the borough where people can pay their money.”

The decision was passed unanimously.