URCHFONT is to get back its village shop after 16 years. The last general store to operate in the village closed in 1989 after the owner, Dave Nelson, was forced to retire due to ill health.

Then butcher Bill Ford closed his shop in 1999 after he was unable to find a buyer to take it on as a going concern.

The village post office closed in 2003 on the retirement of sub postmistress Jill Fruen, leaving only The Lamb Inn and Jon Wildman's garage as full-time retail concerns.

But work was already under way by villagers to turn the tide of retail recession in Urchfont. The Urchfont Community Shop Association was founded in 2000.

The association estimated the cost of refurbishing, stocking and providing working capital for the new operation at over £100,000.

Association chairman Jon Masterson said: "One of the most difficult tasks was finding suitable premises, and much time was spent following possible leads and then having to abandon them because there was too little space or too many complications.

"Eventually, Wadworth offered the association a building in the grounds of the Lamb Inn at a beneficial lease and with help towards the costs of refurbishing. "

Mr Masterson said: "This is the culmination of five years hard work by the community and will provide a vital central point and services."

The shop will be run by a rota of volunteers overseen by a part-time paid manager. Volunteers have already been in training for their new roles, learning how to operate the till and look after the needs of the customers.

The store will be stocking as much local produce as possible and caretaker manager Sandra Mistlin has already sourced eggs, potatoes, milk, cheese, bread, bacon and sausages and even Urchfont mustard.

Part of the new operation will be a sub-post office run by local resident Christine Dolan.

An opening ceremony will take place at noon on Saturday and will include the unveiling of a plaque in memory of Ted Collins, a founder member of the community shop association.