A LONG awaited post-office-in-the-pub has opened its doors for the first time at the Blue Bell, Callow End, near Worcester.

New sub-postmaster Paul Curnock and counter clerk Charles Skern, from St John's, Worcester, were ready to greet their first customers at 9am yesterday.

The post office is in a specially converted room at the Blue Bell, with its own entrance alongside the pub and plenty of parking space in front.

Village postmen Eric Pool and Alan Priest now sort the mail in a new sorting office behind the pub, which came into operation three weeks ago.

"We're going to be open six days a week and we have no idea how many customers we will attract. It's a case of suck it and see," said Mr Curnock.

"We hope people will support us, because if they don't come, we will have to cut our opening hours."

Mr Curnock's wife, Ann, who runs the Blue Bell in partnership with Bill Rice, began negotiations to open a post office at the pub when Callow End's previous post office was set to close in March 2002.

At the time, nearly 200 people were drawing pensions, allowances or benefits there each week.

At first they were able to use the post office in nearby Powick, but this also closed in December.

The new post office will be open 9am-1pm and 2pm-5.30pm, Monday to Friday, and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.

There will be an official opening on Monday, August 11, by county councillor Tom Wells, who supported the Blue Bell's efforts to establish the new post office.