A VILLAGE shop is finally open for business in Hampshire.

Karen Wells, who runs the Chestnut Horse pub in Easton, has been trying to open a shop in the pub car park for the past three months.

It was held up by planning issues after two residents objected to the wooden building because it was out of keeping with the area.

But Karen, 31, was given the green light and has now welcomed her first customer to the shop.

She said: “I’m really chuffed to open this as it was a struggle, and we worked hard and had to fight for it but I’m so pleased we got the job done.”

After discussions with city council planners and a meeting, the shop is now trading, selling a variety of goods including Hampshire produce, and is open from 9am-6pm from Tuesday to Friday, 9am-5pm on Saturdays and 10am-4pm on Sundays.