VILLAGERS who lost their beloved shop and post office have set up a community hub to encourage residents to meet up.

The shop at Kirkby Fleetham, near Bedale, closed at the end of last year after 30 years. Now residents have banded together to open the new centre in the village hall ‘s cafe style library. Currently it opens twice a week on Monday and Wednesday offering limited shopping, stamps and high quality teas and coffees. The mobile post office calls every Wednesday from 11.15am for an hour. Free Wi Fi is also on offer and tickets for community events can be booked. Organisers say a warm welcome is guaranteed.