WEST Malvern's village shop has been saved after fears that the business would remain closed.

Since its former owners, Ron and Sheila Mason, retired at the end of March, Meco Stores has remained shut up.

A meeting about its future held in May attracted 58 concerned residents, and the Village Retail Services Association, which specialises in rescuing village shops and post offices, offered to help find a solution.

Now a new owner from Cinderford in the Forest of Dean has come forward to take over the shop, which is due to reopen in about a month's time.

Julie Ford has managed branches of wine merchants Oddbins in Kent, Surrey and Hereford and is currently managing a large branch in central Birmingham. She will live in one of the flat conversions above the shop and expects to be open for business by the end of October.

Parish Council chairman, John Raine, said it was brilliant news.

"I'm absolutely cheered by it and I should think all the residents will be absolutely delighted," he said.

"But it needs to be emphasised that it's a case of use it or lose it," he added.

There are also positive discussions about the future of West Malvern's post office with Paul and Mandy Clarke registering interest in taking over the business from Don and Ivy Jones, who have run the it for the last 25 years.

Mandy was born in London and raised in Suffolk. Her varied experience has ranged from playgroup leader to nursing, while Suffolk-born Paul has been a long distance lorry driver. The couple recently moved to Malvern from Scotland and now live at the Wyche with their two-year-old son Joe.