HUTTON Rudby shopkeepers have received parish council support in their applications for Government grants to enhance and diversify services.

Cash is available to village shops under certain conditions, with safeguards to ensure other businesses are not harmed or left in an unfair position.

Village post office owners Larry and Maureen Graham hope to obtain a grant from the Countryside Agency to buy expensive colour photocopying equipment. They have black and white facilities, printing services and a range of stationery.

In a letter to the recent parish council meeting, the couple sought its support in their grant application. They said village clubs, charities and individual customers regularly requested colour facilities. A grant would make the equipment more affordable.

Coun Bob Hutchinson supported them, saying village shops deserved all the help available.

Councillors agreed and welcomed the couple's forward-thinking attitude. A letter of support would be sent.

Also recently, Kate Milburn, of J Milburn and Sons' grocery shop, explained to the council how the family business hoped to apply for a Vital Village grant for new refrigeration units and enhanced services.

She hoped the parish council would support the firm's application and emphasised the business wanted to develop without harming trade elsewhere in the village.

The Vital Village scheme was open to village shops which met certain requirements. Rules stipulated that other shops and business must not be harmed and Mrs Milburn emphasised that her firm used the post office for various services.

The new refrigeration units would meet modern retail requirements. The grocery hoped to expand its range of prepared meals and also extend the range of regional delicatessen produce, promoted with the Yorkshire Pantry organisation.

She said the shop was also considering a cash-back service, which required specific equipment.

Again, the council supported the application. After recent losses of Barclays Bank and a hairdresser's shop, councillors said the post office and grocer's were greatly valued and wished them success