Cantal village turns phone box into tourist office

A tiny village in the Cantal has opened what it believes is the world's smallest tourist office - in a telephone box.

Two of Teissières-les-Bouliès' 350 inhabitants volunteered to transform the last remaining telephone box in the village into a welcoming place for visitors to find out about attractions and events in the pays de Montsalvy.

The area is popular among hikers.

The phone box-tourism office is now clad in wood, while inside, visitors can find flyers and informations packs about activities and places to visit in and around the area.

Mayor Yves Coussain said the office, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week - including public holidays, "will help hikers find ideas for walks in in our beautiful Châtaigneraie."

The Cantal tourist office in a phone box will have to beat one in Braxton, Northumberland, if it is to claim the world's smallest tourist office crown.