Work has finally begun on a shop that could revitalise two villages near Bath.

The residents of Freshford and Limpley Stoke have been fighting red tape to build a new local shop for nearly three years.

But they finally secured planning permission and enough money, and hope it will be open by June.

The villagers feared they and the surrounding hamlets would be cut off from all amenities after their shops and post offices closed.

In March 2006 they began campaigning to start their own community-run and community-funded store, cafe and post office.

But the project quickly became stuck in bureaucratic wrangling, because it conflicted with the area's local plan and planners repeatedly rejected it.

So the villagers were relieved as builders started work on the Galleries Shop, by Freshford Village Hall.

"We have come a long way," said Gitte Dawson, the shop committee's chairwoman.

"First we held a public meeting to make sure this really was what villagers in both communities wanted. They told us they did and that they were willing to commit to spending some £5,000 a month in the shop – giving it a good basis for success.

"We explored many options, starting with trying to take on the existing shop before it closed.

"But in the end a new-build shop was the most promising option, for both villages."

The campaigners secured planning permission and worked tirelessly to gain grants and substantial donations from villagers.

And they hope to have the shop open for business by June, when it will be run by a full-time paid manager and volunteers working one shift a week.

It will serve Freshford and Limpley Stoke, with a bus between the villages and will provide ample car parking.

The committee will canvass opinion on what the shop should stock and home deliveries for those with mobility problems or without transport. Customers will be able to order in specialist food.

Freshford's part-time post office – open two mornings a week – will move to the shop.

"Our shop will only work if we stock the things people actually want to buy, at prices they can afford," said committee member Sue King.

"Obviously, we can't keep pace with supermarket prices – but then people won't have to drive anywhere, so it won't cost them petrol."

Stuart Campbell, chairman of Freshford Parish Council and a member of the shop committee, said he was pleased to work with Ken Biggs Contractors on the shop.