THE Co-operative superstore is investing £160,000 in Okehampton to convert and upgrade the Somerfield store on Market Street to a Co-operative brand.

It will bring a new era in food shopping to the local community and secure the existing 80 jobs.

The conversion follows the Co-operative Group's £1.56-billion acquisition of the Somerfield supermarket chain last year.

Enhanced ranges and improved service will be a feature of the new look store it said, and the Co-operative has already introduced price reductions as well as its share of profits dividend scheme, which offers member customers cash back twice a year on their trade with Co-operative Group businesses.

The store will offer fast one-stop shopping with a new emphasis on fresh foods, including a wider choice of bakery items and fruit and vegetables.

To celebrate the new look at the Okehampton store, local girl Bea Brookes performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony with her family and will receive a donation of £200 for her chosen charity, CLIC Sargent.

CLIC Sargent helped Bea extensively when she was undergoing treatment for leukaemia, from which she is now recovering.

Store manager Sharon Brodie said: 'As a community retailer we are proud to serve our local area and this investment in the store means we can now provide a much enhanced service.'