Maryport's Ellenborough Post Office has been reborn as a cafe, shop and off-licence.

The post office closed in March 2009 when a notice appeared in the window announcing it would be shut until further notice.

It never reopened until this Monday, when it emerged as a whole new business.

Darren Herald, 38, and his partner, Nicola Broderick, 40, who both live on Main Street, Ellenborough, have opened the new business just along from where they live.

Darren said this is their first venture into groceries and a cafe but both have experience dealing with the public.

He has an ice cream van and she has done various including taxi driving. She was also a cook at Our Lady and St Patrick's Primary School in Maryport.

The shop, part of the VG franchise, will sell a large range of grocery items.

The couple are still waiting for their off-licence to be completed.

The cafe will sell hot food including chips, as well as a range of panini and cakes.

Stephen Iredale, whose family own the property and who carried out the conversion, said: "It was a shock when the person running the post office closed so suddenly.

"It is good to see the building being used again and I think it will be appreciated in the area."