VILLAGERS are looking to raise £20,000 to get a community owned shop up and running.

Kitted out premises have already been secured at a peppercorn rent and the money will go towards buying stock, a chiller and cabinets for the facility in Hatch Beauchamp.

Organisers hope to open the store once planning permission is obtained for the initiative on Bickenhall Lane.

Andy Grant, who is involved in setting up the shop, said: "It will be a local community benefit shop just selling small items that people have forgotten in their main shop.

"It will be things such as bread, milk and biscuits and there will be a small café as well.

"We are issuing a village share scheme and looking to raise £20,000.

"The shop will be owned by the village."

Mr Grant added: "We don't have a shop in the village at the moment so this will be a big boost.

"There are a lot of things happening in Hatch beauchamp at the moment.

"We're also trying yo set up a bus service as there isn't one at the moment. There will be a temporary one over the summer and then we'll look at making it permanent.

"We're looking at setting up some allotments and Greener Hatch Beauchamp is looking to add 100 trees to the local park.

"The post office closed down, so we're hoping to get a mobile post office at the shop.

"People in Hatch Beauchamp are being caring, generous and positive."