A VILLAGE shop in Hanley Swan is one of three to share a £14,830 grant from Malvern Hills District Council.

Phipps Butcher's, along with shops in Holt Heath and Broadheath, was granted the money as part of the Vital Villages scheme, which is intended to help rural shops remain in business to serve the community.

The scheme is open to small, independent shops which stock food, and is targeted at communities of less than 4,000 people.

It is funded by MHDC, along with other local authorities and Advantage West Midlands.

District council leader Reg Farmer said: "This is an excellent scheme that helps secure the future of our rural communities. "Rural shops are important focal points in our villages and offer a whole range of services and benefits.

"Malvern Hill District Council is proud to support it."