FENLAND farmer Robert Sears says people need to re-think their attitude to shopping to ensure the survival of village stores. If we are to keep rural businesses in business and rural services alive we need to begin in our own communities, said Mr Sears,

KEEN golfer Sam Hughes is only 14, yet has already achieved every golfer's dream - a hole in one.

He could be heard celebrating across Ramsey's Old Nene Golf and Country Club last Thursday after achieving the feat with a seven iron at the 166-yard first hole.

It was the perfect start for Sam at the club's regular nine-hole club night because he went on to card a two-under-par round of 33 - the lowest by anybody taking part.

Sam, who lives at Eastrea and is a student at Whittlesey's Sir Harry Smith Community College, said: "My friend who went round with me said it went in but I did not realise until I got to the green.

"I did feel it was a good shot. I knew it would have been close because I hit it very well."

His grandmother, Shirley Garner, said: "Other players could hear him on the next green. They knew somebody had hit a hole-in-one."

Sam has been playing golf since he saw free golf lessons advertised at the Old Nene Club nearly three years ago.

He was taken by his grandfather, David Garner, who has never hit a hole-in-one in 40 years of trying.

Sam, a member at the Old Nene Club and the Milton Golf Club, plays about four times a week and is trained by Alex Oldham, head professional at March Golf Club.

He also plays at county level and wants to play golf professionally when older.