A RURAL community doubled up two of its most important services today, when its new post office opened in the local pub.

Residents of Callow End, near Powick, have been campaigning for another post office since the village shop closed more than a year ago.

The new branch, which was due to open officially in the village's Blue Bell pub this morning, has all the usual services such as pension and benefit payments, pre-order foreign currency and travel insurance.

And it also proved the perfect platform to launch a new set of stamps featuring hand-painted traditional pub signs, including "The Station" on the first class stamps, and "The Cross Keys", on the 42p stamps.

"We are delighted that we have been able to open the new post office branch in the pub and bring a much missed service back to Callow End," said sub-postmaster Paul Curnock.

"It's an ideal arrangement - while people pick up their cash they can drop in for a meal and a drink."

Zoe Hibberd, post office rural transfer adviser, agreed the combination of the two services was a match made in heaven for the village.

"Both the traditional pub and the local post office have become synonymous with community gatherings so it's very apt the two should be combined," she said.

"People have been working very hard to get this branch up and running and it is with great pleasure that we have been able to announce its opening."