WHILE village shops and post offices across the country are closing or under threat, one is bucking the trend and is a true community success story.

Six years ago a not for profit company was set up to build and operate a shop in Littlebourne, near Canterbury, which would serve people in the village as well as Ickham, Wickhambreaux and Stodmarsh.

Loans were taken out by the company and the shop was built on the main road, next to the playing field, and has been run by Alka Patel and her staff.

Now, six years later, the loans have been repaid and a surplus from the rent paid by Mrs Patel to the company has been handed out to six local organisations - a total of £5,000.

On Saturday MP Julian Brazier - who opened the shop in 2001 - gave out the cheques at the village hall and told recipients and villagers that the business was an example of what could be accomplished when a community pulled together.

Peter Terrill, chairman of the company, said it was a fantastic community project and it was hoped to donate a similar amount next year to village organisations.

"It is a model which could be followed elsewhere," he said. "Some people said it could never succeed but it has done so and extremely well but we would not be here today if it had not been for the support from the community."