STAFF at the East Budleigh Community Shop are celebrating after the store was nominated for a national award – known as the rural Oscars. Based near the village hall, in High Street, the shop has been named in the list of nominees for the fifth annual

STAFF at the East Budleigh Community Shop are celebrating after the store was nominated for a national award - known as the rural Oscars.

Based near the village hall, in High Street, the shop has been named in the list of nominees for the fifth annual Countryside Alliance Awards.

The awards, voted for by the public, focus on community togetherness, the efforts people go to in developing the wellbeing of their village and promoting rural life.

John Tresidder, who works as a volunteer at the shop, said: "The fact we have been nominated is recognition for all the good work it has done for the area.

"It really has made an impact. The shop is nearly a year old and we're thriving."

John said it would be nice to win because there had been a lot of work undertaken to set up the shop and to run it.

He added: "It would be great also for the volunteers who help out here and the manager.

"It is a friendly shop. All the stock is as local as we can get it - meat, veg, eggs - everything sourced from quite nearby.

"We are a focus of the community. People sit outside, chat and have a coffee."

Juliette Field, a customer from Exmouth, said: "The shop offers a nice place to sit if you happen to be walking by and want to stop off for a drink and something to eat.

"I'm not surprised it has been nominated for the awards - it is a wonderful, cute little place."

The categories for the Countryside Alliance Awards include local food, village shop/post office, enterprise, traditional business and rural hero of 2009.

For more information about the awards, visit the following website address at: www.countryside-alliance.org.uk