THERE are just 180 village shops left in Wiltshire and they are closing at the rate of one a month, a meeting concerned with setting up community shops heard last week.

Co-operative Futures, the organisation that gives help with starting and running community-owned shops, called a meeting of all groups trying to set up shops in their villages in the skittle alley at the Lamb Inn in Urchfont, near Devizes, on Wednesday evening last week.

From the first floor room they could see the disused garage at the pub where Urchfont's own community shop is due to open in November.

Community shops already exist at Maiden Bradley, near Mere; Blunsdon, near Swindon; Kington St Michael, near Chippenham; and Oaksey, near Malmesbury, which was the first in the county.

Ten other villages are trying to set up their own shops and at last week's meeting visitors from East Knoyle, near Salisbury; Steeple Ashton, near Trowbridge; and All Cannings, near Devizes, described their progress towards setting up community shops.

Jon Masterson, chairman of the Urchfont Community Shop Association, said there had been enormous support for the idea of a community shop in the village and 80 people had indicated their willingness to get involved as voluntary staff, although Julie Allen warned that many who initially offer help drop out at an early stage.

There are six organisations involved in the Co-operative Futures initiative, set up by the South West Regional Development Agency. They are Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire, Community First, the Post Office, the Rural Regeneration Partnership and Virsa, the Village Retail Services Association.

For more information about setting up a community shop, contact Jane Ryall at Co-operative Futures on 07780 680421 or Charlotte Boxall at Virsa on (01590) 622708.