STAFF at a village shop were celebrating after winning a national award for their services to the community.

Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton- Brown presented the gong to owner Narjinder Dhasee and his team at the Village Stores, in Mickleton, near Chipping Campden last Thursday.

They were selected as winners of the My Shop is Your Shop Community Retailing Award which goes to the independent shop in each parliamentary constituency which contributes most to its community.

Mr Clifton-Brown, who spent the afternoon in the village meeting staff, residents and the parish council, said the store was the lifeblood of the village.

Some of the staff have worked in the shop for more than 30 years.

Mr Dhasee and his family, who live above the store, recently spent £200,000 revamping it.

They support other businesses in the village and stock produce from nearby farms, with a proportion of the profit given to local good causes.

Mr Dhasee said they were delighted to win. He said: “We always try to be more than just a place to buy food and drink, and contribute to life in the community in as many ways as we can.”

David Visick, of the My Shop is Your Shop campaign, said: “They demonstrate the kind of customer service and care for their neighbours that you only get in locally owned shops, and it’s great to see this store thriving while many others in the area have gone out of business.”