Popular community shop expanding

A village shop in east Devon, which is run by volunteers, is doing so well that it is expanding.

The Dalwood community shop is a non-profit making enterprise, which was opened in 2001.

Forty-five residents help out each week, which is about 10% of the people living in Dalwood.

The project has taken off to such an extent that the shop has just been extended to provide more space on the shop floor and more storage room.

Kathy Laing, chairman of the Dalwood shop committee, said it was the hub of village life.

"I'm really keen on having a community in the village with a school and a pub and this shop has been tremendous in that."

The original village shop closed its doors about ten years ago.

The community version opened for business in 2001 with support from a variety of bodies including the Countryside Agency, as well as through fundraising efforts such as selling bonds to local residents.