There's hope yet for a beloved town record shop as the community fights to keep it going.

Following the news Bridport Music faces closure, should a buyer not come forward, there has been a growing number of interested parties looking into taking over the business as a community benefit society.

Two public meeting have taken place, with 31 people having so far pledged to invest more than £50k.

Josef Davies-Coates is fronting the campaign, Save Bridport Music, after seeing an 'outpouring of love' for the record store when it announced last month that it will close in October unless a buyer is found.

"It's looking very positive," said Mr Davies-Coates. "The interest is there and we have a core group of interested parties so this could well happen."

More meeting are scheduled to take place and Mr Davies-Coates is awaiting financial projections. He has created a survey to assess interest not just from investors, but from potential staff, should the group manage to purchase the shop.

So far, 24 people have expressed an interest in working in the shop if it is purchased.

The purpose of a community benefit society is to serve the broader interests of the community, rather than its members.

Steph and Piers Garner, who currently run Bridport Music and have done for more than four decades, announced last month they had come to the end of a 'long and winding road' after putting their 'heart and soul' into running the business.

The couple, who have been trying to sell the business for a couple of years, said they are ready to move on to the next phase of their lives.

The announcement was met with sadness from the community, with many people sending their well-wishes to to the well-known couple.

Bridport Record Centre opened in 1974 at 96 South Street before moving to its current location at 33a South Street in 1979.

It will close some time in October unless a buyer comes forward before then.