A village in Pendle is set to celebrate the return of its general store – for the first time in more than 10 years.

Once, Laneshawbridge, near Colne, could boast its own Co-op, tea-room, butcher, baker and post office.

But down the years, those enterprises along with even the hairdressers, have closed one by one.

However, with the confirmation of a £30,000 grant from the Village SOS scheme, supported by the Big Lottery Fund, Laneshawbridge can begin to turn the corner.

Its newly-formulated community enterprise is able to start work on establishing a shop and tea-room in the Methodist Chapel building in Keighley Road.

Coun Paul White, who represents Boulsworth ward on Pendle Council, said: “Thirty thousands pounds is an amazing amount of money for a place like Laneshawbridge.

"There are a lot of people who have helped this to come to fruition.”

Shopkeeping is already in the councillor’s blood – his grandparents Kathryn and Robert Ellis once ran a general store in the village – and organisers will be working in close partnership with church leaders on the initiative.

Further fundraising, of around another £30,000, will be needed to complete the venture, providing extra facilities such as a post office outreach service and internet cafe.

Another goal is to provide some allotments for keen market gardeners and to convert land behind the chapel for a car park.

The community enterprise sent out questionnaires to hundreds of homes to gauge what residents wanted to see at the end of the exercise.