Nearly four out of five people in Shropshire believe village shops in rural parts of the county are at the centre of the communities they serve, a survey has found.

The findings come in a report commissioned by PayPoint as it launches its nationwide Better Local Living campaign. The results show that only 34 per cent of people in Shropshire think there is community spirit where they live.

A total of 77 per cent of those polled think a local store is important in developing greater community spirit.

Almost a quarter – 22 per cent – of people in Shropshire said their local stores faced going out of business for good without more support.

In Shropshire the survey found 62 per cent of people use village stores to do their weekly shop, 38 per cent buy a newspaper, seven per cent top up mobile phones and seven per cent pay council tax and utility bills.

The survey follows the closure of a string of village stores across the county. Village Stores, in Minsterley, closed for business last July. Tilstock village shop was closed in 2002 before a recent move by residents to replace it with a community-owned store.

Nationwide the report found that 67 per cent of people believe local community stores need more support than ever.

Now the firm, which offers a range of payment services in 22,000 shops up and down the country, is calling on people to breathe new life into communities by supporting their local shops.

Mark Prisk MP, Shadow Business Minister, said: “We all need to support our local shops, especially now. They provide variety, quality and personal service so important for our local communities. The simple truth is: use them or lose them.”

Peter Brooker, head of corporate affairs at PayPoint, said: “Our hope with Better Local Living is to make our small shops as well supported as possible and to continue to deliver a range of products and services that are valued by all.”

PayPoint has said it is seeking cross-party political support to recognise the crucial role that local stores play in British life.