A village shop has been saved from closure after more than 100 local residents clubbed together to buy it.

Villagers in Maiden Bradley, Wiltshire, did not want to see their Post Office and general store disappear when the previous owners said they were selling up.

After a number of meetings the villagers decided the only way to save the store was to buy it themselves.

Now the store has got a new lick of paint and a sign announcing that "Maiden Bradley Village Shop" is due to open shortly.

Overwhelming response

Carol Munt, chairman of the parish council, was instrumental in saving the shop.

She said: "We held a meeting to find out if people really wanted to keep the shop going.

"It was such an overwhelming response we decided to set up an association to take the shop on.

"We have had volunteers painting the shop and moving everything around - it has been a fantastic effort."

Westbury MP, Dr Andrew Murrison, helped out by painting a couple of walls.

The group received a �21,000 government grant and raised �7,000 by selling shares to villagers at �5 each.

The village, near Frome, was originally owned by the Duke of Somerset

Mrs Munt said: "My attitude is that a village shop is a community centre that sells food.

Local produce

"You lose the hub of the village if you lose the meeting place.

"You don't know what effect it has on the village until it has gone.

"If you talk to people who have lost their village shop they realised too late the nearest place is 10 miles away."

The store will sell fresh bread and vegetables as well as goods from local producers.

Mrs Munt said: "We have asked people what they want. If you stick to what people want you don't have to stock nine items they don't want."

"We reckon we have got a very good chance of making it work."