WALLOP villagers have joined forces to transform their closure- threatened village shop into a community shop.

Kingsway Stores, in Pound Road, Over Wallop, has seen profits fall. Owner Julie Cleife tried reducing the stock but now wants to close the shop although continue running the post office. She has offered to let the premises at a reasonable rent.

An action group chaired by Trisha Badham is aiming to follow the example of Abbotts Ann where the village shop is run by the community for the community. Trisha said: "I still think we need a village shop. I go to Abbotts Ann and if our shop is anything like theirs it will be a success."

According to Trisha having a village shop, school, church, playing field and village hall increases the value of houses by 20 per cent.

The action group is currently looking for members to join their management committee which will oversee the running of the shop.

The group has estimated it will cost between £10,000 to £15,000 to set the shop up, redecorate and stock the shelves.

Money is already coming in but the group is looking for donations, loans and grants.

Trisha added: "We have had great enthusiasm but there are people who are negative about it, but once they see we can get it up and running and see we can stock what they want they won't have to go to Andover."

Anyone who can help should contact Trisha on 01264 781642.