A TRADITIONAL village shop and post office has been put up for sale in an idyllic part of the county.

Hendred Stores, in East Hendred, is available to buy through the agent Humberstones.

The shop is one of the few amenities located in the village and sells food, drink and newspapers as well as items such as knitted gloves and hats.

It also offers freshly baked bread and pastries and provides services including dry cleaning and photocopying.

The quaint building in High Street also contains a family home with a large garden, fitted kitchen and four double bedrooms. An outbuilding contains an office and workshop.

The lease price listed is £105,000 and the income during an average year is said to be £249,367 from the retail side of the business and £6,584 from the post office.

An advert promoting the sale said: "An increasingly rare opportunity to purchase a true 'lifestyle' business in a wonderful location."

It added: "Ideally suited towards a working couple looking for an opportunity to operate a successful business and integrate themselves in the village life."

Small rural shops have long been in decline across the UK but still provide a vital lifeline to people who don't drive or find it hard to reach larger shops in more urban areas.

The latest rural shop report by the Association of Convenience Stores found there are still more than 19,000 operating in the UK, employing 143,000 people.

There have been big changes in the services provided in recent years with the shops taking on more roles in village life including offering cash machines, recycling services and taking in home deliveries.