LESS than three weeks after a village shop closed the doors have reopened after a "fantastic" community effort.

A team of 40 volunteers has come forward to run the Village Stores at Wootton, near Woodstock.

The village's 600 residents have also managed to raise £20,000 through a shareholding scheme and donations to get the shop refurbished and restocked ready for business. But a key part has been played by a national organisation based in nearby Woodstock, the Village Retail Services Association (ViRSA). Earlier this year, ViRSA was behind the reopening of the village shop in Radley, near Abingdon.

The Wootton Stores is now a community shop, one of about 150 in rural villages throughout England. The shop rescue has come on the back of a £20,000 grant from ViRSA and a matching loan of £20,000 as well as local fundraising.

The shop has 125 shareholders, each paying £10, and unable to own more than one share.

Volunteers will keep the shop open from 7.30am to 7.30pm Mondays to Fridays, 8am to 1pm Saturdays, and 8am to 12.30pm on Sundays.

Wootton villager Richard David, a retired businessman, is the acting chairman of the committee.

He said: "We've had to gut it, refurbish it and get in new stock. But there's loads of enthusiasm in the community and plenty of willing hands."

Another resident Andy Morgan said: "It just shows what the village can do to keep the place a thriving community."

The shop rescue has come on the back of a £20,000 grant from ViRSA and a matching loan of £20,000 as well as local fundraising.

The shop has 125 shareholders, each paying £10, and unable to own more than one share. Any profits made will be ploughed back into the business.

The team of volunteers will be working in two hour shifts to keep the shop open 7.30am to 7.30pm Mondays to Fridays, 8am to 1pm Saturdays, and 8am to 12.30pm on Sundays.

The shop is also boasting green credentials by forbidding plastic bags, instead issuing a jute shopping bag to all residents and everything else wrapped in paper.

It is also sourcing as much as it can from local farmers and suppliers to cut down on carbon emissions.

At present it still has the post office, but Mr David says they are anxiously awaiting the announcement on closures expected in the next three months.

The committee also wants to recuit a shop manager, either full or part-time. Anyone intrested should ring the shop on 01993 811474.

Donna Smith, of ViRSA, said: "Community shops like Wootton are on the increase. As more village shops close it is often the only option. The profit margins are less, but they still have to break even or just above."