A SLEEPY Preston village is going bananas about bunching together for a business venture - a fruit and vegetable co-operative.

Clayton Brook residents sowed the seeds last year - gathering support and planning strategies - and it mushroomed from there.

Organiser Judith Burslam explained: "The co-op will be a non-profit making business for the benefit of the whole community promoting healthy eating with fresher food, making sure everyone gets a fair deal."

The system has been thoroughly planned - on Tuesday orders would be collected and with a trip to the wholesalers on Thursday and distributions in the village that afternoon. But it's not all easy peas-y.

Judith explained: "We need funding for the scales, premises and transport. We have already given us a van which needs a bit of work on it, and we've applied for funds from the council and the local health committee.

"Volunteers have offered to repair the van and drive it. We just want to promote a good old community spirit with people doing favours for each other without charge, which is quite rare nowadays."

The caring community already has a tool-share system with everybody knowing who's got what, and it is hoped a drop-in centre will be set up with a whole crop of advice for residents.

And the co-op even hopes to have its own currency and cheques for people pooling their skills and labour "in a sort of job share scheme where everyone gets paid back for their time," according to Judith.

The co-op's annual general meeting takes place at 7.30pm, the 'date' - February 8, at the village centre.

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