The 'Best Village in Wales' is facing the loss of its tiny village shop, which provides a lifeline to rural residents.

The village shop in Lawrenny, voted The Best Village in Wales 2007, is about to lose its shopkeeper when she retires. With no new shopkeeper on the horizon, the shop could shut forever.

The award-winning shop is the heart of the village. It was a beacon of comfort, news and supplies during the two weeks the village was snowed in this winter. It played a crucial role in the fight to keep the post office facilities two years ago and it serves a very rural population who would otherwise need to drive up to 15 miles for a pint of milk.

"My children love popping round the corner to pick up the papers and some sweets," said Lawrenny resident, Nikki Nutt. " The shop is the centre of the community, it's where we hear all the news and buy our ice creams. Without it we wouldn't be such a tight-knit village."

"We've worked hard to offer everyone in the area what they want, from locally sourced food to showcasing arts and crafts from local artists," said retiring shopkeeper, Marijke McBean. "I loved working here, getting to know everyone and really being the heart of the village for locals and for all the visitors who pass through. It's a very special shop, which is why we've won awards."

"I'm retired," said Roly Barrington, "and I use the walk to the shop for my papers as a good excuse for some exercise and to see everyone."

Dale Barker and Amy Slater moved to the village last year with their young family

"We came from London and chose Lawrenny precisely because it had a village shop. It really provides that sense of community and means we make less trips to the supermarket in the car."

Locals are hoping a new franchisee will come forward to save their village shop before it's too late. For more details about the post of franchisee, please contact Rachel Hicks 07774619506 before the end of May.

• Lawrenny was awarded Calor Best Village In Wales 2007. The shop was a finalist in the Countryside Alliance 'Rural Heroes' Award 2008.