VILLAGERS in Winsford have been turning out in force this week to support a new business.

The Exmoor village faced losing its only general store when owners Jenny and Paul Lawson decided to pull down the shutters for good at the end of September.

But following a wave of public concern over the loss of the lifeline facility, Mark and Sally Bradley, who run the local pub, the Royal Oak, announced they would be stepping in to save the service.

And on Monday The Oak shop and coffee shop opened its doors for business.

The couple had spent a few frantic weeks reorganising their restaurant and breakfast rooms to convert part of the pub to provide accommodation for the shop.

And their efforts appear to have paid off.

"The response has been overwhelming," said Sally on Wednesday.

"We've had a huge amount of help from local people and we are so grateful to so many volunteers.

"The coffee shop was absolutely heaving on the first morning and we almost ran out of chairs.

"All we need now is for people to continue to use the shop and hopefully that will happen.

"The general consensus seems to be that everyone is just pleased that we have stepped in to save the facility."

'We've had some lovely and very supportive comments from people."

The shop is open from 8.30am to 12.30pm Monday to Saturday and sells newspapers, milk and dairy products, bread and some frozen goods.

It also has an off-licence and will maintain the prescription service formally offered by the old shop.

And the Bradleys hope the outreach Post Office, previously available on Tuesdays and Fridays, will be running again as soon as possible.