SHOPPERS enjoyed a slice of success at the weekend after a store chain won a national accolade.

Staff at Bells Stores in The Avenue, Chester-le-Street, put on a party on Saturday after the convenience store group was named second-best National Lottery Retailer of the Year by Camelot.

Staff served champagne and cake to guests.

For the younger visitors there was face painting and a balloon artist.

The shop was one of nine in the North-East that arranged celebration events for customers.

Tracy Lough, who is the company's regional Lottery co-ordinator, was loaned a Lottery car for the day, to make sure she could take part in all the celebrations at the stores.