THE Burrow underground shop in Exbourne is nearing completion, as the tentative opening date in June edges ever closer.

The Exbourne and Jacobstowe Community Association, which is behind the project, has been busy working hard to cross the finishing line and make the underground shop a reality.

Keri Quertier, publicity officer for the project, said: 'The build is certainly coming on and we are in the process of sorting the interior, ordering stock, organising volunteers and a million other things that go with starting up a business.'

The first spade went into the ground last September, and builders have been busy at work building the shop ever since.

Building work started after nine years of fundraising, which was finished off with a £90,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund's Local Good programme in April 2011.

The funding received from the Local Food programme is in addition to grants from Devon County Council, the greater Dartmoor LEAF project, the Trusthouse Foundation, the Tudor Trust and other foundations.

The association amassed almost £50,000 of the £320,000 necessary for the project themselves through various fundraising events, including quizzes, sales and community markets.

For the latest information on the Burrow, visit http://www.theundergroundshop.co.uk">www.theundergroundshop.co.uk