Intruders leave village shop empty-handed

BURGLARS left empty-handed after breaking into a village shop run mainly by volunteers.

BURGLARS left empty-handed after breaking into a village shop run mainly by volunteers.

Nothing was stolen from Offwell community Shop and Post Point. Beryl Hounsome, chairman of Offwell Rural Services Association, which manages the shop, told the Midweek Herald she believed the intruders could have been looking for cigarettes and booze - neither of which are sold in the shop.

At the association's recent annual meeting, it was revealed the village hall charity had reaffirmed its commitment to providing a permanent shop space. The existing facility is in a portable building, at the side of the hall.

"We haven't had a bad year," said Mrs Hounsome. "Things are ticking over.

"During the snow, the shop became a focus and everyone rallied round.

"The Post Point is being used by people from Honiton, which we would like to encourage. We don't have queues and free parking is provided outside the door.