Blackawton is due to open its new community-run shop today after a major village effort to save the vitally important business from closure.

The shop will be initially operating a post office and 'bread and milk' service from the old shop premises which owner Carey Burton finally closed yesterday.

But a new10-strong steering group has ambitious plans to launch a full shop service which includes operating a wi-fi point and possibly a small library.

The group has already launched a questionnaire asking villagers what kinds of services they want to see operating out of the store – and what kind of products they want to see on sale, said its vice chairman Jo Rogers.

She warned that if only shop in the village had closed many people would have struggled to get even the most basic supplies.

'We are doing this because we are a small rural village and we have a lot of people who do not have access to vehicles. There is no public transport to the village at all.

'We have a young and elderly community that needs to retain this service and we feel that we need to provide it.'

She said many villagers would have to rely on lifts or delivery services for supplies.

'That is not always convenient when you have run out of milk and need it there and then,' she said.

She added: 'The village shop is also a community hub for people to have a chat with somebody when they may not see anybody else all day.'

Almost 100 people turned out for a public meeting in the village hall following Mrs Burton's decision to finally close the store she had run for the last eight years.

Mr Burton ran the shop with her husband Alan until his death last year.

Jo said the steering group was still looking at whether to continue the shop at the current location or open it in different premises.

For the time being the limited service will still include a post office operations which would enable villagers to collect their pensions and would be open Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9am to 11am.

The steering group already has volunteer offers from more than 40 villagers to help man the shop but is looking for even more.

'The next step is deciding on premises and getting funding because it will need grants and funding,' said Jo,

'It won't just be a shop. It will be place for the community to come together.'