The Grey Horse Inn plans to offer post office services

The Grey Horse Inn in Warrington plans to provide post office services and a cafe where people can sit and chat.

Diane Nicholson, landlady of the pub in Warrington Road, Glazebury, said she expected to be able to start providing the extra facility in the summer.

She said: "Our village post office closed last August and I think people need the service. It should also help keep the community together."

'Villagers need it'

Mrs Nicholson, who runs the pub with her husband Bill, said planning permission had already been granted.

"We will be using an annex to the pub for the post office service. It will be separate to the pub, although people will either be able to enter it through an outside door or through the pub itself," she said.

"I've lived in the village all my life and I think the villagers need it - the customers are really up for it.

"They can't walk to the nearest post office and even when they get there, the queue's about a mile long."

A Royal Mail spokeswoman confirmed there were plans to open a post office in the Grey Horse Inn.

"This is by no means the first of its kind and there are other premises such as community centres, village halls and even a library, from where post offices are run," she said.

"We are keen to maintain post office services to all communities."