Villagers at Stockbridge have launched a campaign to save their fresh fruit, veg and fish shop from the threat of closure.

The High Street business has been run for the past 14 years by John Sykes, but the site is owned by Enterprise Inns, which also owns the Vine Inn next door.

The firm has submitted a planning application for a partial demolition and rebuild to turn it into living accommodation.

The scheme has sparked a storm in the village and customers are organising a petition.

Village butcher, John Robinson, whose "beef on the bone" battle with officialdom put him in the national headlines, is on their side, too.

"The shops in Stockbridge complement each other. They add up to all the food outlets people need within a short space and they give the village just the right balance," he said.

"We don't want to lose any and there are people from quite a wide area who buy John's produce; I know because, when I'm making deliveries, I take some of his as well and we go right out to Longparish."

Mr Sykes (43) confirmed that he has been given notice to quit following the expiry of his lease.

"It would be a sad day for me if it closed, but it would also be sad for the local people. Fruit and veg and fish have been sold here for over 30 years and the trade has increased every year since I've been here."

Working for him is Jessie Bryant (25), who began as a Saturday girl more than 10 years ago.

She said: "You see the same faces every day and you get to know them. There are a lot of people who rely on the shop-especially the elderly who can't get to the towns."