A MOTHER of two is aiming to breathe new life into a rural community by reopening a village store.

Julie Thompson admits she is bucking the current trend of stores having to close and is taking 'a bit of a gamble', but she is convinced she has the right ingredients to make a success of the business.

It is more than ten years ago that the village shop at Satley, near Tow Law, closed, leaving villagers - who have no bus service - having to travel to centres like Lanchester, Consett or Tow Law to do their shopping.

Julie and her husband bought the premises, and the house next door, a year ago and for six months they lived in a caravan while it was being renovated.

"I find it all a bit scary and it will be a bit of a gamble," said Julie, of her business venture.

"But as soon as we moved into the house villagers started asking us when we will be reopening the shop - so the need is there."

Apart from providing a retail service for the village and the many farms and private houses dotted around it, Julie aims to make the store 'the social point of community life'.

"I hope that people will enjoy a good old natter when they come to shop. I aim to make it as real village store - the kind that was around when I was a young girl".

Among services she will be offering are dry cleaning, photograph development and shoe repairs. She will also be taking supplies from the local dairy and hopes to stock locally baked bread.

Julie, who previously worked helping students at Durham University with accommodation, has started the business with financial backing from the Countryside Agency and Derwentside District Council.

"I haven't any illusions about how difficult it will be, but if it makes me a weekly wage, then anything else will be a bonus." she said