STAFF and customers at Broadhempston’s Community Shop are celebrating after scooping a prestigious award.

Judges in the Devon Food and Drink awards deemed the shop, which opened in 2009, to be the best in the county.

Hard-working employees picked up the top accolade at a sparkly ceremony held at Highbullen Hotel in Umberleigh on Monday evening.

Shop manager Sibylle Dowson said: ‘We are thrilled to have received this award.

‘It is a great honour and a reflection of the commitment and hardwork of the committee, volunteers and customers who support us.’

She added: ‘The shop is not only a great resource for the village, but is a social hub in a thriving community.’

Celebrations were in full swing at the shop last week as a free coffee and cake morning was laid on to mark the big win.

A group of villagers joined forces in 2008 to take over the shop after it was threatened with closure.

The shop, which is run by a committee, 50 volunteers and two paid workers, features a small coffee shop, an art display and post office.

Shop treasurer Rodney Perriman said: ‘Broadhempston Community Shop has become a hub of village life and is open 364 days of the year.

‘It is run by the community for the community and is a great example of an enterprise that is succeeding and

thriving.’