POPPING to Hereford to pay bills and pick up stamps proved so difficult for a Whitney shopkeeper, he has incorporated a post office into his shop and garage.

Adam and Gwen Phillips took over the Whitney Stores in Whitney-on-Wye in January 2000 and they fought for three years to open a post office within the store.

The Phillips' proudly served their first customer at 9am last Monday and it has been non-stop ever since.

"I was worried whether we were doing the right thing or not and so far we have been proved right," said Adam.

A petition with 650 signatures proved how strongly villagers felt about the new facility and support from residents has been invaluable.

"We did have a very big fight on our hands to get it and we just kept pushing. It was a battle and a very long process. Now I just hope that people will use it."

Future plans for the already improved store include a bistro and somewhere to sit for 10 minutes get a snack and read the paper.

"But that's a few years down the line," said Adam.