LAST Saturday was a special day for Spreyton Village Shop, as it celebrated its first birthday.

The shop, located next to Spreyton Village Hall, is a community enterprise established by the hard work and enthusiasm of a dedicated group of villagers with assistance and funding from a number of sources, including West Devon Borough Council, Devon County Council and LEAF.

In its first year the shop far exceeded its estimated business plan, with a turnover around 20 per cent higher than original expectations.

Pat Eldridge, a volunteer with the shop, was extremely happy with the shop's early success.

She said: 'It's wonderful to be able to celebrate the shop's first birthday. It's made all the better because it's been so successful.

'It's something that took a lot of effort to get off the ground by those involved, and now it's a great part of the community.'

Aside from part-time manager Alex Wallis, all the shop's staff are volunteers.

Pat said: 'The volunteers are absolutely vital. Alex is vital to the running of the business because she stays on top of everything, but the general running of the shop is done by volunteers.'

The shop serves the whole community and stocks both basics and more exotic goods. The enterprise sources as much local produce as possible, including cakes, dairy produce, meat, eggs, bread, fruit and vegetables, and preserves.