After three years without a village shop, Lewknor has a new one, thanks to a local housing association.

Shop-keeper Suresh outside the new shop

It is the first time, Soha Housing has become involved in providing a shop.

Lewknor had a village shop for more than 100 years but it finally closed in 2000 -- and since then the parish council has been trying to get a new one established.

The shop is in the centre of the village, at one end of a Victorian barn conversion.

It is run by a Sri Lankan named Suresh.

Suresh, who only uses one name, used to run a shop at Nettlebed garage.

Council chairman Gill Bindoff said: "It's been an uphill struggle.

"But since Soha housing started helping, things have become much easier."