MEDICINE and advice when you need it is the fitting new logo for Worcester's popular pharmacies.

DG Pharmacy in Gresham Road, Dines Green, was started by Hooman Ghalamkari nine years ago. It has proved such a bonus to the community he opened a second enterprise -- Henwick Halt Pharmacy in Henwick Road, St John's --a few months ago.

Besides dispensing prescriptions and supplying mobility aids, both pharmacies go out of their way to serve the community by offering advice and help when they can.

The Halt Pharmacy is open early in the morning and closes late. Both pharmacies offer a free prescription delivery service and advice. The Halt Pharmacy is also open on Sundays between 4pm and 8pm. Mr Ghalamkari started Henwick Halt Pharmacy six months ago when he realised that no other chemists in the city offered such a comprehensive service and customers were comingto him from the other side of the river.

"Someone can ring me and say they would like more of a certain medicine, or we can collect a prescription from their doctor, make it up for them and deliver it," explained Mr Ghalamkari. "People are so busy these days, especially in the run up to Christmas that is the least we can do. One of the reasons we are able to offer such an efficient service is because we have a new state-of-the-art computer system which is extremely efficient and gives us a little more time to be able to do the extra things which count. I also have a fabulous

team working for me whom customers find approachable and knowledgeable."

Mr Ghalamkari and his staff have transformed the new pharmacy into a therapy centre. It has its own comfortable consulting room where a range of therapies are offered, including podiatry, acupuncture, reflexology and beauty therapy. The centre also has strong links with a successful osteopath.

There is a full range of mobility aids at Henwick Halt which help people to remain mobile after suffering serious illnesses such as strokes and heart conditions. There are scooters, rise and reclining chairs and shopping trolleys.

"We have decided to launch our new logo in time for Christmas so that people know we are here when they need us," said Mr Ghalamkari, who asks customers to check the press for opening times over Christmas.