A LONG-time resident of Terrington has taken over the village store and tearooms - at the age of 26.

Samantha Gill, who has lived in the village since she was just four, has now reopened the shop with the aim of putting it back in the centre of the community.

She said: "I had been working at deli in Helmsley when the shop became available and as I had always fancied doing something for myself decided to taken the plunge.

"People in the village have really missed the shop since it closed so I wanted to get the business up and running again."

Terrington Village Stores and was run by local residents Ian and Kate Hughes for 21 years and taken over by new owners last year but closed September.

Samantha said she had completely redecorated the premises and removed an interior wall between the shop and tearooms to provide better access.

"I've put in a wood burner to make it nice and cosy and people have been very positive about the changes," she added.

Samantha's parents, Kay and Nigel, and sister Stephanie, have also been lending a hand as she gets the business up and running.

"I aim to include a farm shop and will be open seven days a week with all the usual services including take-away sandwiches and newspapers," Samantha added.

"A lot of local people have already been in as well as passing trade and they have all said how glad they are to see the shop open again."