We've got this story's number!

IT'S tempting in circumstances like these to not let the truth get in the way of a good story.

The first version of the story below went a bit like this: Bloke builds a new house at Lawrence and gets told by council that he needs a letter box before final approval.

Bloke dutifully erects a letterbox, neighbours have a laugh and inform him that the street does not receive a mail service.

Lawrence community is gobsmacked that the letterbox was a council requirement.

Well there are bits of truth in there.

Steve Kassulke of Coffs Harbour appointed Coffs builder Robert Shone to build him a holiday home on Bridge Street overlooking the Clarence River late last year.

A Clarence Valley Council building inspector informed Mr Shone that the home needed a house number displayed before final approval could be given and Mr Shone passed this on to Mr Kassulke.

"Steve thought the easiest thing to put a number on is a letterbox, he said that and I probably said 'yeah that's a good idea'," he said.

"But it was my first time working in the area, I didn't know if the house received mail or not.

"So really, the letterbox is only there to hold the number up."

Mr Kassulke said last week he was happy to endure the taunts of his neighbours but maintained he was told that the council had requested the letterbox.

Mr Kassulke, who runs Coffs Metal Market, said he loved Lawrence for the chill-out factor, the fishing and the fact his hideaway lacked a phone.