A GOWER community which has already lost its post office and village store is poised to say goodbye to another shop — but some residents insist they wouldn't swap living there for the world.

Plans have been submitted to turn the Bosun's Locker in Port Eynon into living accommodation, following on the heels of the sorely missed post office and village store.

During winter, residents in Port Eynon and neighbouring Horton have to travel a couple of miles to Scurlage for things like bread, milk and eggs. In summer, when tourists flock to the area, they can use the little stores run by caravan site owners.

Villagers contacted by the Post said they'd welcome a village store, but conceded a lack of winter trade could be a problem.

Barry Stubbings, Port Eynon Community Council clerk, wondered if the thriving community-run post office and shop in Llanmadoc, North Gower, could be replicated.

"It is a community initiative and ticks over comfortably," he said. "There is a desire here for a shop and a certain amount of demand."

Peter Muxworthy said there used to be two village stores just in Horton, where he lives. The social fabric had altered in other ways, he said, with schools in Port Eynon, Oxwich and Rhossili amalgamating with Knelston primary.

"That's the way life has changed in Gower," he said.

But the onset of winter had its blessings.

He said: "It's nice and peaceful again."

Jean Higgins, chairwoman of Port Eynon and Overton Social Committee, said it was a tragedy when the post office and village store was sold after the owner was robbed by night-time intruders in 2004 and suffered a heart attack soon after.

The shop had another owner before being taken on by CK's Supermarket, but in June planning permission was granted to transform it into two holiday homes and it has been sold on again.

The Bosun's Locker, a few yards down the road, is a seasonal shop catering for tourists and, according to the applicant, was formerly living accommodation.

But lurking behind the village's ghost town facade was a powerful community spirit, said Mrs Higgins.

"When someone moves here the social committee takes them a bottle of wine and a 'welcome to Port Eynon' card," she said.

"We also take people a plant if they're ill."

Mrs Higgins added the seasonal income from caravanners was vital to the village.

She said: "It's the most fantastic community to live in. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else."