VILLAGE shopkeepers have been taking to their sledge to keep their customers supplied.

If their customers can't get to the shop for their provisions then Meonstoke Post Office and Village Stores will take it to them.

Sue and Charlie Fullegar are using the sledge to take groceries to households around the hilly village in the Meon Valley.

She said: "We have a lot of elderly customers who can't walk on this.

"We have a brilliant community here. Our shop is the hub of the community, a meeting place. People have been looking after their elderly neighbours. We have been taking orders, loading the sledge to make deliveries to make sure people get what they need."

She said the weather had shown the benefit of a village having a local shop. "We have not run out of anything. The big stores have been running out of bread and milk. People like Sainsbury and Tesco have cancelled deliveries but we can get through whatever. Our suppliers like Axton's of Swanmore bringing fruit and veg have been brilliant."

The freezing weather has given the store a welcome boost at a usually quiet time of year. "We have had our best week of trading ever. Quite a few people do all their shopping with us but we have seen a lot of new faces."

It has also shown the importance of local stores. "It is times like this you realise what would be lost if we were not here. People would not have any food, because they cannot get their cars out."

The Meon Valley was heavily hit by the heavy snow last Tuesday and Wednesday with many motorists abandoning their cars on the A32. Sue added: "It has brought out the community spirit, going back in time. Everyone has been pulling together. Several were forced to sleep in the church. The vicar put the heating on. But local people took people in because they couldn't bear them to be uncomfortable."