SOME Crediton shopkeepers, and those in outlying areas are reaping the rewards of the closure of the town's Somerfield store.

The town lost its only supermarket on May 20 when Somerfield closed.

A Morrisons store is due to open in mid-August but until then, shoppers have little option than to use High Street and other town shops, travel to others elsewhere or shop on-line.

Morrisons had said they would be providing a bus service to their Tiverton store but there has been no sign of such a service to date.

Some shops are rejuvenated by the increase in sales, most notably those such as bakers, butchers and other stores.

However, rumours are abounding that Costcutter, in Crediton High Street, has been sold and will be closing for a short time to allow for a change-over.

Penny Somerville, a member of Sandford Community Stores, said the lack of a supermarket reminds us how shopping used to be before one-stop shopping influenced us to change our shopping habits from the time-consuming business of going from shop-to-shop to buy what we needed.

An advocate for Sandford Community Stores, she said: "Sandford Community Stores is a good place to buy good food produced locally, and for a small shop it has a very varied range of goods on offer.

"Try some alternative shopping. Come out to the delights of Sandford where you are sure of a smile and willing service from our team of managers and volunteers.

"Fresh locally produced bread, cheese, meat, vegetables are all available, as well as household goods, bedding plants and vegetable seedlings for your garden. Local shopping for local people. Like it used to be!"

The Stores is a community-owned and managed shop and is staffed by a team of volunteers as well as paid staff.

She adds: "If you haven't visited the shop recently now is a good time to come and see how a local community has saved its Post Office from closure and opened a shop that means village people do not have to drive elsewhere in order to do their weekly shopping."