A VILLAGE store where you can buy veg and book a baptism has been named Oxfordshire’s best community shop.

Wootton Stores, in Wootton-by-Woodstock, started life at the end of 2007 and the team of volunteers has grown over the years to 40.

They are managed by Pam Jones, whose husband Stephen is vicar at the village church.

Mrs Jones said: “Stephen serves in the shop sometimes and people come in and book baptisms.

“The church and the village shop are definitely not dying out in this village.”

Mrs Jones said they were delighted to win the award.

She added: “Everyone works really hard and this is quite an accolade which will put us on the map.

“We try to support local businesses and get our sausages, eggs and meat from local farms.

“In the autumn, people give us surplus produce to sell and all the profits go back into the shop.”

Oxfordshire Rural Community Council runs the competition and spokesman Jane Barker said judges praised Wootton Stores for being friendly and welcoming and well laid out with a good range of products.

She added: “A village store is far more than just a local place to buy goods — it is also a meeting point and information centre for the whole community.”

Second prize went to Ewelme village store while third prize was given to Appleton community shop. Community shops in Radley and Brightwell-cum-Sotwell were also highly commended.