MASTERCHEF finalist Moonira Hinglotwala has opened her own post office in the pharmacy she runs.

The mum-of-two was busy impressing MasterChef judges Gregg Wallace and John Torode with her Indian fusion cooking in April.

Now after the Blackburn pharmacist made it to the final of the BBC One cooking series, she has embarked on a new challenge dealing with mail.

It has seen Moonira open up a new post office yesterday at her Granville Road pharmacy.

The 39-year-old, who also runs Riaz Pharmacy, on Randal Street, said she was ready for the new challenge.

Moonira, of Billinge Avenue, Blackburn, said: “The Post Office was looking to move to a different premises from its old one on New Bank Road which closed recently.

“So after speaking to customers, they said they would like to see us open up a post office at the pharmacy, as it’s a nice shop and is quite big and has lots of room for a post office.

“We thought it would be a really good idea to merge the two businesses together.

“So we applied and were interviewed and were up against other businesses, but we were given the contract last year.”

Since then, Moonira said the pharmacy has undergone a £5,000 refurbishment to transform part of it into a post office.

The post office will have one full-time member of staff while existing staff from the pharmacy will also work there.

She said: “I’m really excited that it’s now open.

“Customers will be able to come in and get a prescription and at the same time pay a bill or take some money out of their savings.

“It will make life easier for customers.

“The main reason behind this is to help people in the community and bring more elements to the business.”

Going forward Moonira said she will be juggling her work in the post office and pharmacy with her cooking.

She added: “On the food front, I organised a pop-up restaurant at Westholme School in November and have arranged another one for February.

“I’m also looking at finding a property to open up my own restaurant.

“It’s certainly a change from cooking in Masterchef to having a post office but it’s a challenge I’m ready for.”

The post office will open from 9am to 7pm on Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturday.