IT is difficult enough living in a small rural village as an elderly person, but without the lifeline of a local shop, it could become a daily struggle.

This is the situation facing residents in Luckington as the only local shop is closing its doors in August.

The shop has been in the village since 1847 and the current owners are looking to retire.

An effort is being made by the parish council to buy out some premises in the village to fill the void, but things are not looking too hopeful.

This concerning situation is compounded by the fact that the future of the village’s only bus route could hang in the balance.

Wiltshire Council are reviewing bus services in an effort to cut millions from its expenditure on what it describes as “commercially unviable” routes.

They have earmarked rural routes such as Luckington’s 41 service as an area of potential savings.

It is unthinkable that elderly people in Britain in 2016 might have no nearby shop or even public transport to get them to one.

Hopefully it won’t come to that however.

The community are still bravely pushing to find an alternative location for the shop for the good of the village.

Credit goes to Luckington Parish Council for their commitment to the community.