Community shop to support village

The shop was built in less than five months by a team of volunteers

Villagers in West Sussex have gathered to celebrate the opening of their community store built by volunteers.

About £150,000 was raised in less than a year by people in Lodsworth, near Midhurst, to built and stock the shop.

Lodsworth Larder, an "eco-friendly" timber-framed building constructed in a pub car park, opened on Saturday.

Organisers hope the venture will help reduce food miles, support the local economy and inspire similar projects in villages around the UK.

A spokesperson for the project said: "This project could become the blueprint for hundreds of villages throughout the UK, which will allow villages to survive, reduce their carbon footprint, food miles and travel miles, as well as boosting their local economies.

"It is hoped that this will create a wonderful community hub and a sustainable rural enterprise for the future.

"Any profits will used to benefit other community projects within the village."

The shop was built in less than five months by a timber construction company based in the village with labour from a team of local apprentices and volunteers.

The wood used was mainly sourced from woodlands in the village.