VILLAGERS on Exmoor have hit a fund-raising target to repay loans taken out three decades ago to buy their shop and Post Office.

Wootton Courtenay Villagers’ Stores is now without debt after a public appeal by the board of directors raised £60,000.

Director Barbara O’Keefe said: “This is a massive achievement in a short period of time.

“We record our thanks to guarantors who made this possible and to all who purchased shares and made donations.

“We are delighted thanks to the generosity of so many, all our loans are fully repaid and we are debt-free.

“Future fund-raising will now be targeted on maintaining and improving the premises.”

Ms O’Keefe said a one-year tenancy celebration was planned for May 28 to mark 12 months since Sarah Fox and Mark Burgess moved in.

She said: “They have had a huge impact on the shop and on village life in general.”