POSTMEN have begun sorting the mail at a village pub as it prepares to open its new post office.

Alan Priest and Eric Poole now have a sorting office at the back of the Blue Bell pub in Callow End, near Worcester.

The two postal workers, who started work in the converted garage last Monday, begin tackling the mail at 6.15am, ready to start their rounds at 8.30am.

Ann Curnock, who is the landlady of the pub, is delighted to see the sorting office in operation at last, after months of planning and hard work.

She said having the post office and sorting office in the same place would be more convenient all round.

"It will bring the community together," she said. "I am impressed that we have got the sorting office up and running.

"The office is bigger than they are used to and I think it is a good improvement.

"It is working well, although it is a bit slow because they have a new system."

The village's previous post office closed in March 2002 and, at first, villagers started a car sharing scheme to transport people to the nearest post office in Powick, but that one also closed in December.

Callow End's new post office is due to open in a specially converted room at the Blue Bell with a separate side entrance, on Friday, August 1.

Tom Wells, leader of Malvern Hills District Council, will perform the official opening on Monday, August 11.