Bus stop turned into village shop

Villagers who have been without a local shop for more than a year are building a replacement - in a bus stop.

Residents in East Knoyle, Wiltshire, have had to drive miles in search of bread, milk and other essentials since their post office closed down.

Fed up with the inconvenience, they banded together to set up a store, but with the old post office converted into a house, needed a new site.

Now work has begun to turn the disused shelter into a shop and internet point.

This is a fantastic project which shows how the local community can pull together and make a real difference Jim Knight Minister for Rural Affairs

Currently, buses only call at the village a couple of times a week, but it is hoped that services in the area will be increased to allow people in neighbouring hamlets access to the shop.

The project has been partially funded by a grant from Defra's Rural Enterprise Scheme.

Jim Knight, Minister for Rural Affairs, said: "This is a fantastic project which shows how the local community can pull together and make a real difference."

Sabrina Sully, whose family ran the post office in East Knoyle for more than 100 years, is one of those behind the project.

She said: "One of the most important things is that the shop will be competitive, with prices on a par with supermarkets.

"We hope to provide a delivery service and will provide 'cash back' as there are many people who live here without a car or means of transport or who work from home."