A COMMUNITY bid to save a village store near Petersfield has received a disappointing response.

But people in Liss Forest have been urged not to give up by a man who played a major part in a similar venture just over the county border.

Members of a sub-committee have decided to take stock with their bid to turn Liss Forest Store & Post Office into a community shop.

Current owner Penny Edmund-White wants to sell up and retire and has given the group a provisional June deadline to submit their bid.

Campaigners have pressed a huge percentage of the village for their views on a takeover since meeting at the Evangelical Church early last month.

They have made great strides in producing a business plan while many villagers have offered funds and services.

But, disappointingly, only a small percentage of the village has backed their plans, with a small portion strongly opposing the bid.

For full story, see this week's Petersfield Herald.