Essex County Council's idea to buy out threatened post offices could be copied across the country.
Its groundbreaking solution to save post offices from the axe has grabbed the attention of community leaders nationwide.
At least 15 groups have contacted County Hall asking for advice about how they could strike a similar deal.
It means Essex's test case negotiations with the Post Office could pave the way for hundreds of branches to stay open.
An Essex County Council spokesman said: "Essex is leading the way in the national campaign to save post offices.
"We are being contacted all the time by people who are interested in what we're doing. Fifteen local authorities, MPs and pressure groups have been in touch about the idea."
The Gazette reported last month how Essex County Council could become the first local authority to run post offices earmarked for closure.
It budgeted £1.5 million on the project over the next three years, and won support for the initiative from Post Office Minister Pat McFadden.
- More in Monday's Gazette
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