Postmasters in Warwickshire are among the first in the country to turn their hands to being webmasters as well.

The Post Office has linked up with a new website, www.UKVillages.co.uk, to provide community information.

As well as promoting each post office as part of an area dedicated to a particular business, postmaster will be able to offer extra services to customers, including free classified advertising on the internet.

One of the post offices taking part in the early stages of the project is Pailton, near Rugby.

Postmistress Susan Cook said:

"We were thinking of setting up our own website when we heard about the UKVillages project, so this came along at just the right time."

"As well as allowing us to promote the services we offer, the website also provides a space to advertise community events and the activities of clubs and societies."

The agreement with UKVillages gives 18,500 Post Office branches the chance to post information on their own unique page, free of charge.

Information on opening times, Post Office products and services can be included on the page, along with a  “Notepad“ section where subpostmasters can add their own special offers and latest news, and customers can advertise items for sale free of charge.

Each post office page is accessed via a link on each village home page.

Announcing the partnership Deborah Maxwell, Head of Marketing for the Post Office said:

“Our branches are at the heart of communities they serve and we are now offering all our outlets the chance to be even more so through the internet.

"Our brand is synonymous with trust, efficiency and respect and this new partnership provides the opportunity for information on the Post Office to be available on-line as well as in-store.”

Rupert Dick, founder and director of UKVillages Ltd, welcomed the agreement and the impact it will have on local communities. He said: