Free e-mail client that supports outlook *.pst files...

[ST Dragon]

Hi
At work (Public civil service) , I’m currently using Windows XP Pro and Office XP Pro & Oulook e-mail client for my e-mails which are stored in a *.pst file.

I would like to remove Office XP PRO and install OpenOffice instead.
My only query, is there a free (For commercial use) e-mail client with similar interface as Outlook that also supports *.pst files? I want to able to use the existing *.pst file where all my current e-mails and contacts are stored.

Thanks in advance!

[junkeR]

Can't Thunderbird directly import your Outlook mails/contacts through the import process? It's free as well. That's about all I can think of on the Windows side - there is also the integrated Opera Mail client and Gmail.