DWINDLING customers and increased competition from a nearby supermarket have caused another village shop to close.

Wick's Stores at Teynham, near Sittingbourne, was at one time a pub but first opened as a shop in 1923.

Sue Watson, who has owned Wick's for 14 years, blamed lack of customer loyalty for the closure.

She said: "We have not been getting enough support. We have tried to diversify, but I can't make a living out of it."

Mrs Watson said her problems were compounded when the village's Co-op store started to sell newspapers. Wick's introduced telephone cards, video rental and the National Lottery in a vain bid to boost business.

The shop will be auctioned in April.