Efforts to save a Southfields cornershop have been boosted by the involvement of government minister Justine Greening.

The MP for Putney, Roehampton and Southfields joined residents on Saturday, May 23, to protest against the possible closure of Sunny News in Wimbledon Park Road.

Sunny Patel and his wife Jamie have run the shop for 27 years. The freeholder has applied for planning permission to convert the building from retail to residential use.

Hundreds of supporters have objected on Wandsworth Council's planning website.

Ms Greening said: "Anyone who lives in this area knows that Sunny News is part of the fabric of Southfields. The cornershop's been the staple of British life for a very long time and it's more than that.

"Sunny does all sort of things for local people that goes well beyond just selling them a newspaper and this shop is a focal point for the community."

The Southfields Triangle Residents' Association (STRA) is spearheading a move to have the shop made "an asset of community value", which would protect it from change-of-use development. The application is being considered by the council.

STRA committee member and neighbour Antony Wroe said: "Wandsworth Council must not allow Sunny News to close. This shop is the heartbeat of the local and wider community. It's not just a corner shop but provides vital services to all local residents, including those such as the elderly, who simply can't get to the bigger shopping area."