Residents are banding together to open up a community store in their village near Lichfield.

It comes after the village shop in The Square in Elford closed its doors for the final time on March 13.

The decision to create a community store came after a public meeting where more than 60 villagers attended and supported the motion. A community stores steering group has been set up and has pledged to create a shop of some form for the village following February’s meeting.

At the moment the group is looking at various options for the shop, including using a portable building on the social club car park, as well as organising events and trying to find grants to raise the necessary funds to open the shop.

Ruth Redgate, secretary of the steering group, said: “Although we are a small village, we are a rural village and we are very limited in terms of public transport.

“We only have two or three buses a day and a lot of the elderly people can’t use them to get to the shops because they haven’t got the lowering steps.

“We also found, when we had snow and we couldn’t use cars to get out of the village that just to pop to the shops to get some bread and milk to keep us going did prove to be invaluable.”

The group is currently trying to raise funds to set aside for stock. Their next fundraiser is a concert featuring Tamworth Ladies’ Choir from 7.30pm on June 20 at St Peter’s Church. Tickets are £10 each. Anyone wanting to buy a ticket, make a donation or give advice about grants should call 01827 383149.

County Councillor Matthew Ellis added: “I think these village shops are hugely important as a focal point for the village.”