A LOYAL customer was called on to perform the re-opening ceremony at her local food store.

Lifelong Co-op shopper Olive Oxley, 99, became a VIP celebrity for the day to help in the re-launch of the society's store in Sherburn Village. The Sherburn and Newton Hall store branches have both had facelifts as part of a £300,000 investment by the North-Eastern and Cumbrian Co-operative.

Both have been re-branded in the 'market town' format, which gives the stores a local identity by incorporating the village or town name in the signage. Improvements include redecoration, new flooring and lighting.

In addition, the Sherburn store benefits from new beer, wines and spirits, and bread and cake sections