A VILLAGE shop has opened its doors to help fight loneliness in the area.

Bosses at the shop, in Bradwell, are urging residents to join the free coffee mornings they are hosting to encourage people to socialise.

A spokesman said: “Our initial idea was to reach out to lonely or isolated villagers.

“We provide free tea and coffee and biscuits to anyone who joins us after an initiative started by a pub landlord in Suffolk.

“We are lucky to have a sponsor who is prepared to pay for the first year then review it with the intention, we hope, to continue for a second year.

“This has brought many people together and there is lots of laughter and many topics discussed.

“District council community volunteers are trying to promote villagers getting together to prevent isolation.

“We have been in contact with Community 360 to start local visits, maybe to garden centres or for pub lunches and more.”

The coffee meet-up takes place every Monday from 10am to noon.

To find out more about the event, visit bradwell communityshop.co.uk.