FATHER Christmas made an early visit to Brompton Regis last weekend to bring a festive touch to the official reopening of the village's community-run shop.

To mark the season, villagers gave the colourful character the task of cutting the ribbon.

Customers and friends turned out in force for the occasion with shop manager Stephanie Butterfield and committee members Molly Routledge, Jane Rees and Jenny Pattenden organising drinks and nibbles.

The shop has been saved from closure twice in the last four years.

It was run on a commercial basis for 20 years by Pete and Jenny Stringer, who ceased trading in 2008 when they lost the post office facility.

A new shop, managed by a team of volunteers, was set up in the skittle alley of the village pub.

But when the licensees left the area, villagers found themselves hunting for another new venue.

The outlet is now based in the former snooker room of the village hall and has changed its status to an industrial and provident society for the benefit of the community.

And for the first time it has a paid part-time manager who is helped by a team of volunteers.

Grants from LARC (Local Action for Rural Communities) and the Lottery's Village SOS fund have helped pay for a customised refit of the shop.

Secretary Phil Barnard said the event had gone very well.

Photo: Steve Guscott