A new chapter will open at a Wymondham bookshop this weekend when it opens as a community store.

Kett's Books will open in the former Book Fountain unit in Wharton's Court on Saturday.

A dedicated team has spent the past five months securing the bookshop's future by turning it into a community interest company, which is a form of social enterprise.

Robert Smith announced his decision to retire in August and retired teacher, Ray Rumsby from Little Melton, organised a meeting to ensure the shop survived.

The shop will officially open on Saturday at 11am and everyone is welcome to attend.

Director Tracy Kenny said the public's support was 'overwhelming'.

The story of the shop's namesake, Robert Kett, is told of the shop's sign.

'We are paying tribute to the community values that he stood for,' Mrs Kenny said.

She said the shop was keen to engage with local people and schools.

A summer challenge for children is in the pipeline and Mrs Kenny said she hoped to run a curator scheme with local schoolchildren whereby they visit the shop during half term and create a display and choose books around a selected topic.

'They will learn about what is on the curriculum and it's building literacy and critical thinking. It also uses social skills because the children will have to discuss which books they are going to choose. They will be given a budget and can decide which books they would like so they will use numeracy to stretch the budget.

'We can then get them to write about their selection.

'Reading is not just about de-coding text. It's about understanding the world around us and a critical response.'

Start up costs have been financed by loans but people can pledge their support by becoming a friend.

'The friends scheme has been very popular. People who pledge £20 can save 10pc up to the end of 2015,' Mrs Kenny added.

The shop, which is staffed by volunteers, will be open from Monday to Saturday.

Mrs Kenny said there is still an opportunity for people to get involved in health and safety and administration roles.

For more information see www.booksforwym.co.uk