Bucks Fizz, crisps and sunshine were the order of the day as the Wallop Village shop finally opened after three weeks of refurbishment.

Ian and Julie Cleife had run the shop for about eight years but during the past year it had been winding down and they were thinking about selling.

Towards the end of 2003 Trisha Badham organised a group of people to try and save the village shop.

John Taylor Firth was appointed chairman of the Wallops Village Shop Association.

Test Valley Borough Council awarded a grant in excess of £8,000 and the association raised £11,000.

"Any profits after wages, stock and repairs will be given to community projects," said Mr Taylor Firth.

Trisha Badham, who is now in charge of the 18 shop volunteers, said: "It's a vital asset in the community and it's taken a long time to get going.

"We want everyone to shop there because it's fully stocked and it just needs the community support now," she added.