THE manager of the Co-operative food store in Okehampton has secured a place on the Co-operative Group's South Devon Area Committee for the first time in the latest round of elections.

Sharon Brodie won one of the five seats available for anyone with an interest in helping shapre how the business is run.

She will serve a three-year term and will attend meetings to contribute to the running of the Co-operative Group as a whole, as well as getting involved in local activity such as allocating community funding and representing the Co-operative at events.

Sharon said: 'During my time as store manager in Okehampton I've got to know the local community really well and I've taken part in many activities from fundraising to sitting on the Okehampton Community First steering group.

'Being elected onto the area committee means I will be able to have an input to the bigger picture, and I can share my experience of working directly with member customers on the shop floor to help benefit the business as a whole.'

Pete Vallance, democratic services manager for The Co-operative in the South West said: 'Sharon is well aware of the issues that face local people and she has a great working knowledge of the business, therefore I'm sure he will be an asset to the South Devon area committee.'