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opening this week.

The association has been running a village shop in the village hall for the past decade following the closure of the village post office in December 2001.

Many volunteer hours were spent putting up and taking down displays. At night, all stock had to be put away in a store cupboard. The new shop and external courtyard erase these problems.

The first spade went into the ground last September, with building work taking place over the past few months.

Sally Hordern, the association's secretary, said: 'The Burrow will sell as much local produce as possible. We aim to source fruit, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy produce, bread and cakes from within 15 miles of Exbourne. We will also be stocking local arts and crafts goods. We want the Burrow to help regenerate the local economy.'

Ian Taylor from Co-operative and Community Finance, said: 'It's taken a long time for this highly unusual project to reach completion, and I don't think it would have happened at all if it wasn't for the determination of the people in the community association.  They've overcome many obstacles to ensure that this small rural population has a useful and unique local resource.'

The shop is now open for business but will be officially opened by Central Devon MP?Mel Stride on Friday, July 6.

For more information visit www. theundergroundshop.co.uk