One of Wiltshire’s first village community shops celebrated 10 years since it was saved from closure with a party on Saturday.

Maiden Bradley Village Shop was taken over by a committee of villagers, in order to preserve its services for the town, after the former owners retired.

In the past decade it has gone from strength to strength and become a hub for the community, according to manager Anne Sercombe.

“It’s wonderful to have reached this point, particularly given the financial crisis. It has taken a lot of hard work,” she said. “The shop was packed for our party, and we had a cake made by a local farmer’s wife, and various nibbles. It was wonderful to see so many people there.

“We have three part-time staff, including me, and the rest are all volunteers from the community.”

The store sells local produce and its own home-made bread, pastries and sausage rolls. It has a post office, and runs a village lottery which donates money to local good causes as well as lucky winners.

Mrs Sercombe, 70, who moved with her farmer husband from Leicester to the village 25 years ago, said she had got involved to give something back to the village that welcomed her so warmly.

“I wanted to put something back in to help the village, and this was a good opportunity,” she said.

“We have had 10 happy years in the shop, and get approached by other communities looking for advice on running their shops.

“It is hard work, I don’t make it out to be all rosey, but it is worth it.”

Cutting the celebratory cake was South West Wiltshire MP Andrew Murrison, who supported the community enterprise when it first started.

“I have a great deal of affection for the shop as my involvement was one of the first things I did after becoming an MP,” he said.

“I am delighted to see it has reached its tenth birthday, and is continuing to flourish.

“Such community-run stores are becoming more typical these days as commercial operations struggle to keep their heads above water. They bring other benefits, besides the obvious one of keeping the store going.

“It brings the community together and provides an outlet for people’s creativity.”