A village’s only shop is to shut this weekend as a "devastated" couple prepare to leave the county.

Phillip and Lucy Payne have run Mersham Stores and Post Office, near Ashford, for eight-and-a-half years but have been unable to renew their lease.

They are now planning to start a new venture in Yorkshire, where they will be taking over another village shop.

But Mr Payne says they are both “incredibly sad” to be leaving Mersham as they have become a “big part of the community”.

“It’s not something we wanted to do, but we haven’t been able to renew the lease,” the 51-year-old said.

“We have loved our time in the village and have had such a great relationship with our customers.

“We're just truly grateful for everybody who has supported us over the years.

“I watched all these kids come in after school and now some of them are adults.”

The Paynes have received a number of well-wishes from villagers since announcing the closure last week.

One resident said: “A sad day for the village. Thanks for your hard work and dedication.

“We were all sad to see you leave and wish you both good luck in the future.”

The shop will close its doors for the final time at midday on Sunday (November 24).

“It’s been a privilege to be a part of this community…”

The pair have already found a home in Yorkshire and are “looking forward to a new challenge”.

Mr Payne added: “We are opening a small village shop in the Yorkshire Dales and hope to replicate what we built here in Kent.

“I want to thank all of our amazing customers. We are really going to miss them.

“It’s been a privilege to be a part of this community.”

Last month, Ashford Borough Council (ABC) listed the shop as an asset of community value (ACV) following an application by Mersham Parish Council.

Nominating something as an ACV is a way for community groups to protect assets from being sold to private owners.

If the owner decides to sell, they have to notify the local authority registering the ACV – in the shop’s case, ABC – and it will notify local organisations.

If a community interest group or a charity puts in an expression of interest, the sale has to pause for six months, to give them time to raise the money to acquire the asset.