Sidley pupils' role in store ribbon-cutting ceremony

In doing so they earned 200 for their school. Headteacher Julie Reece says the money will go the school's kitchen garden project, which is already producing its first crop of potatoes.

The children starred together with branch manager Mike Davey in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to launch the new-look Co-Operative store in Ninfield Road following its 150,000 re-fit.

Mike said: "As a community retailer, it is appropriate that we involve the community in our special events, and we are delighted our local school is playing a central role in the re-launch of our store."

After being closed for a week for the work, the store re-opened featuring the consumer-owned Co-operative Group's new identity, The Co-operative, which aims to highlight improved service standards across its 4,500 outlets in the UK.

The Sidley store has been upgraded with modern dcor and a layout which has been designed to be more shopper-friendly.

The store's emphasis will be on fresh food. All beers and wines will now be chilled. Popular services such as the lottery, paypoint and external cash machine have been retained.

The Co-operative Group is a leading supermarket supporter of Fairtrade foods.

Present at the ceremony were operations manager Keith Macfarlane and Mike Hedgethorne, chairman of the area committee.