The Friends of Castle Acre Church has set up the new enterprise, which was officially opened on bank holiday Monday, in the premises at the east end of the village's High Street.

A group of local people and wellwishers gathered for the opening ceremony, which was performed by Friends' founder Derek Thackray cutting a ribbon.

Friends' treasurer Gus Stafford-Allen said it was a "very successful" day and the shop seemed busy most of the time.

All money raised from selling the books will be going towards essential repairs and maintenance of Castle Acre's historic St James the Great Church.

The shop will be open on most Saturdays, from 10am to 4pm, and on other holidays in the summer, as long as volunteers are available.

It is stocked with a wide range of books, both fiction and non-fiction, many like new. Subjects covered include biographies, cookery, gardening, history, sport and travel. It also has hundreds of paperbacks, a wide range of children's books and jigsaws.

Canon Stuart Nairn, priest-in-charge at Castle Acre, is backing the venture. He said: "As a great believer in the written word, I am delighted that the Friends of Castle Acre Church have decided to make use of the old butcher's shop as the place from which they can hold regular sales of secondhand books. It is well worth a visit and I wish them every success."