TRADE is booming at a community shop opened by villagers in Coleshill.

Residents opened the store when their village shop closed after trading for 200 years.

Now, after eight months of hard work, the new shop has opened.

It has been built on the site of a former office in Old Carpenters Yard, and is run by 20 volunteers. Besides enjoying a coffee in the cafe next door, residents can stock up on cheese, ham, fish and groceries.

Volunteer Denny Wickham said: "The response has been amazing.

"Even when it's been pouring with rain people have been flocking through the door."

The old shop which shut last year was the hub of village social life.

Denny added: "Everyone was upset when it closed. We had lost something really important.

"People would meet and chat when they popped in."

Among those who use the new shop which opened last month are Beatles producer Sir George Martin and his wife.

Many people gave up their weekends to muck in and refurbish the building. Residents have also been busy fundraising.

At present, shoppers can also cast their eyes over paintings by Russian artist Damitry Melmikov, who sketched several village scenes during a stay last year.

His work is on display in the gallery next to the store.

The shop is open 9am-6pm Monday to Friday, and Saturdays 9am-4pm.