This village has died’

LEADING businessman David Lucas is launching a national campaign to save rural Britain. Mr Lucas, who runs a business in Holywell Row, near Mildenhall, is fighting to save small businesses and services which he claims are being destroyed by multi-national

LEADING businessman David Lucas is launching a national campaign to save rural Britain.

Mr Lucas, who runs a business in Holywell Row, near Mildenhall, is fighting to save small businesses and services which he claims are being destroyed by multi-national companies.

He grew up in Lakenheath and claims the village has trebled in size and despair.

Now he is demanding the parish council and district councils block all future building in the village until its services have expanded.

He told parish councillors at their meeting on Monday: "The great farming community we once had and local services with employment in abundance has gone. The village has died.

"Is the council proud to have Lakenheath as part of its responsibility or is it embarrassed to admit having responsibility for such a run-down, demoralised community?"

Mr Lucas listed numerous problems with the village and claimed that these were just some of the issues brought to his attention by people from Lakenheath and the surrounding villages.

Lakeheath Parish councillor Bruce Rutterford said: "Most of the issues raised by Mr Lucas have been looked into.

"We have contacted all the major supermarkets and they don't want to come to Lakenheath at this time.

"We need people to move into the village to encourage the services to come.