Mobile post office hits the road

Banking and books will be on board

Northern Ireland's first post office on wheels is set to take to the roads.

It will pull up in the village of Monea in County Fermanagh and return every Monday morning.

The partnership between the Western Education and Library Board and Post Office will see a range of library and postal available services.

If successful, it could lead to more mobile services in other rural areas, said the Post Office.

A staff member will serve customers from a dedicated counter on the mobile library van.

The Post Office's Raymond Crea said the mobile would offer personal banking; financial products; motor vehicle licence renewal; television licensing; bureau de change; insurance; homephone; phonecards and passport application checking.

He said customers would be able to carry out their banking as well as browsing and choosing from the library's selection of books.

"This is an exciting initiative and enables us to ensure that the needs of the people of Monea are met while their local branch is temporarily closed," he said.

"We look forward to working in partnership with the Western Education and Library Board and providing an excellent service to the people of Monea."

Helen Osborn, chief librarian with the board said it was an innovative service for Monea.

"I hope that many library users will take this opportunity to use Post Office services and that many Post Office customers will join the library and borrow books - all you need is some proof of identity," she said.