CREDITON Chamber of Commerce is to re-open the valuable shopping service for those shielding or in need which it operated during the first lockdown.

The Hub, which was run from the empty shop premises Kathea, saw food and shopping members of the public had ordered taken there by Crediton traders.

Volunteers ran The Hub and delivered the items, following procedures of safe delivery and leaving the order on the doorstep.

The service was invaluable to many people during the first lockdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Bruce Evans, from Crediton Chamber of Commerce, explained: "We are re-starting The Hub just for two days initially, Wednesdays and Fridays, which we will run from a room at Kitchen@25 thanks to the business owner, Emma.

"The Chamber recognised that some people are already struggling to get food during this new lockdown because they are shielding so we have decided to re-start The Hub from next Wednesday (January 13).

"As previously we ask that people telephone the shops to place their order the day before. The orders will then be delivered on the Wednesday or Friday.

"All the shops taking part can be found on the website: shopcrediton.co.uk .

"Unfortunately we cannot deliver meat.

"We have a number of volunteer drivers as well as myself who will collect the items and make the deliveries and Jezz Taylor will again head up things at The Hub.

"The Chamber is providing masks and hand sanitisers for all the volunteers who will be doing the doorstep deliveries."

"If demand is great we will expand the service to other days."

Anyone who telephones the shops with their order should pay by card over the telephone or by cash when the items are delivered.