A NEWLY reopened village shop in West Craven is proving to be a big hit with both residents and passers by on the busy A59.

Marlene Smedley moved from Manchester to West Marton to take over the shop in the late summer after being told about it by a friend who lives in the village. The shop, part of the Gledstone Estate, had been empty for several weeks before Marlene, who has run a pub and another shop in the past, took it on.

Over the last few weeks, Marlene, who lives on the premises, has got to know the village residents and adapted what she sells to local needs. She is also attracting passing trade, including cyclists on the popular cycle route through the village, with her made on the premises hot and cold baguettes, snacks, drinks and slices of gateau.

She also sells artisan bread, general foodstuffs, postage stamps and the Craven Herald, the shop also has coal and kindling and Marlene hopes to start selling alcohol if her license application to the council is successful.

"Its going really well and I'm starting to get a lot of passing trade, people are telling me it's lovely to see a village shop," she said.

The Village Shop is open Wednesday to Sunday, and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. It will soon be open on Tuesdays too.