The imminent visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Birmingham has led to a unique business opportunity for one couple who own a shop close to Cofton Park.

Joe Brannan and wife Fran run a collectibles shop called Cofton Collections in Bristol Road South, selling cigarette cards, trade and trading cards.

The store also has a range of British first day covers, with categories including the Royal family, body and bone, mind and matter, life and earth.

The couple have now added a distinctive postmark available as a first day cover, to commemorate the Pope’s visit to Cofton Park.

Mr Brannan said: “When we found out that the Pope was coming to Cofton Park and knowing we have a strong Cofton connection with the name of our shop, we thought it would be an ideal opportunity to create something for residents as well as visitors to remember the historic occasion.”

About 70,000 people are expected to join the Pope in celebrating mass with the Beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman in Cofton Park, close to the cemetery at Rednal where Cardinal Newman was buried.

The Brannans used the significance of Cardinal Newman to the Pope and Birmingham for the image on the post mark, which displays a silhouette of the Cardinal and will be on sale at the shop from September 19, priced at £4.95.

They paid £235 for the original design, printed on envelopes by the Post Office.

Mr Brannan said interest for the post mark had been mounting as more people realised they were available to purchase.

He said: “We have ordered about 1,000 and between 40 - 50 have been pre-ordered by local residents.

“As far as I am aware, it will be the only post mark celebrating the beatification of Cardinal Newman and will be a good collectors item for catholic and non-Catholic people. “The Pope’s visit has put Cofton on the map and will be good for the area. I expect there will be a bit of congestion on the day but it’s all part of proceedings.”

After the mass, the Pope will make a private visit to Oratory House in Edgbaston, where Cardinal Newman lived from 1852 until his death in 1890.

The post mark has become the latest product available to mark the Pope’s visit.

Coventry-based company 4 Club and Country produced 20,000 souvenir tops to be sold exclusively in Birmingham, that were inspired by the colours on the Vatican flag and the England flag.