HUNDREDS of Cotswold villagers were determined to prove they were not the weakest link by digging deep to ensure their village shop stayed open.

On Saturday, TV presenter and local resident Anne Robinson officially relaunched the Coln St Aldwyns store. This was made possible thanks to 230 villagers in Coln St Aldwyns, Hatherop and Quenington who all bought shares in the village store. Last year, villagers of Coln St Aldwyns were devastated upon hearing the news that their much loved village store and post office was to close.

They united with nearby villages Hatherop and Quenington to raise more than £100,000, which included a £45,000 lottery grant, to save their valued stores.

Chairman of Coln Community Stores, Phillip Evans, said: Having a shop in this village is about more than convenience. "Some older shop customers are simply unable to travel to supermarkets - they depend entirely on the shop here for their basic provisions."

The store also features a cafe which it is hoped will become a hub for the community.