A LONGFRAMLINGTON shop is the best in the country.
David Carr's shop has been named best village shop in the Countryside Alliance's best rural retailer competition.
Mr Carr, who has owned the shop for almost 30 years, collected the award at the House of Lords last week.
He said: "It's absolutely wo
nderful. It's brought a buzz to the place, everybody is so happy and pleased, not just for me but for the community and the girls in the shop – it's not just a one-man thing. To beat 2,000-odd other shops across the country is something special."
Mr Carr won the regional title in December for the second year running but this is the first time he has been recognised at national level.
The Countryside Alliance said he won because he "goes the extra mile" by running a free prescription service, delivering groceries to the elderly and being part of the community.
Mr Carr said: "You've got to put something back into the community. It's part of being a village.You've got to be able to talk to the people and know their son's or daughter's hobby. That's what makes it different from a normal shop."
Richard Dodd, Countryside North East regional director, said the shop was a "community hub".
He said: "The competition aims to celebrate ambassadors for community and going the extra mile which David clearly does. David never asks for recognition and is a very modest man, but we are all delighted to celebrate him in this way – he deserves it."
