HELP is at hand for Worcestershire villagers stuck without a shop, thanks to a project set up to breathe life into rural areas.

Vital Villages is bringing its roadshow to Tolladine and Perdiswell this autumn to showcase new plans to market local produce and encourage communities to take part.

Villages Direct, its latest scheme, is concerned with boosting the quality of life in Worcestershire's rural communities by bringing groceries direct to residents.

"We want to be able to help villages and communities buy groceries, meat, and vegetables locally, " said Bridget Oleksy, Vital Villages' administrative officer.

"What we are trying to set up is a collection point in villages.

"Hopefully people will be able to place an order from a catalogue.

"Then they will ring us up and 48 hours later the goods will be collected at the location point."

Vital villages will be able to provide produce from Worcestershire's growers, meaning good quality fresh food would be provided while helping farmers, still reeling from the effects of foot-and-mouth, at the same time.

The Villages Direct Road Show will be at Tolladine Community Centre on Monday, September 17 and again at Perdiswell Young People's Club on Friday, October 12.

Field officers from Vital Villages and specialist retail advisors will be on hand to answer questions from members of the public at 7pm on both nights.

They will also be showcasing details of their success in setting up village shops, setting up cyber cafes, appraisals and training programmes.

Villages which have benefited so far include Elmley Castle, near Bredon, which has set up a post office in a purpose-built room in the village hall.

"The new facilities are providing a focal point for the community and because it's on the main route through the village we have a chance to capture passing trade," said Anna Mackison, chairman of Bricklehampton, Elmley Castle and Netherton Village Hall.

Vital Villages is run by the Warwickshire and Worcestershire Rural Retail partnership, and is made up of more than 25 members from the public, private end voluntary sectors.

The scheme is funded by Advantage West Midlands, the region's development agency, through the Government's Single Regeneration Budget.

For further information contact 01684 573334.