KIWI couple Heather and Evan Stewart are all set for their latest foreign posting - as licensees of Blackburn's newest pub.

The couple, who originally hail from Christchurch on New Zealand's South Island, have taken charge of the new JD Wetherspoon's pub The Postal Order, which opened yesterday.

The pub has been created in the 4,000 square foot former Darwen Street Post Office sorting office, which has been transformed over the last four months at a cost of £1 million.

Heather, 29, says she is already starting to get used to life in East Lancashire, despite vast differences from back home. She added: "New Zealand's licensing laws changed totally about 15 or 20 years ago, when restrictions on pubs were lifted. In comparison, Britain's licensing laws seem pretty antiquated. New Zealanders also tend to go to cafe bars and nightclubs and usually have a drink with a meal. It isn't like here where people go out to places solely to drink."

Heather brought her husband to England a year ago when her Manchester-born mother came to visit relatives.

The pub has created jobs 22 full and part-time jobs.

Among the unusual features in the company's pubs, which have no music, are non-smoking areas and at least six cask beers, with one priced permanently under a pound.

The pub is decorated with work by local artists, photographs of old Blackburn and historical information.

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