Ref. 25548-35It may have been open only three months, but the Blunsdon shop has quickly established itself at the heart of the community.

It opened at the end of March following a campaign by locals to replace the old village store, which closed in April last year.

Now the villagers run the shop themselves and plough any profits back into the community.

A loyal band of 20 residents take it in turns to work the till and stock the shelves.

Julie Allen, promotional manager for the shop in Blunsdon High Street, said there has been a constant stream of customers.

"It has been so well received by everybody that uses it," she said. "It's brilliant. People have become so used to having a shop again."

Despite being small, the shop boasts a wide variety of goods. Julie said: "We sell everything that big supermarkets sell except alcohol. Customers come in for a range of things.

"Some are regulars who stop off to buy a paper before work, or bread and milk, while other customers are those passing through the village.

"We have put up a sign in the road telling drivers that we are here, and it's convenient for them as we have the car park right here. Schoolchildren also pop in on their way home from school to buy sweets."

Edna Miller, 66, and her husband Ken, 70, enjoy the social aspect of volunteering at the shop.

The couple, who live in the High Street, ran the former shop for 22 years.

"I work on Saturday mornings with a friend and we do have quite a busy time," Edna said.

"Volunteers give up as many hours as they can. But we always need more help, especially now when people are going on holiday."

The shop's committee wants more volunteers. Call in for more information.

Don't forget to buy your Evening Advertiser from the shop.