PUPILS from Meavy Primary School were given the honour of 'cutting the ribbon' to launch the new look Co-operative food store in Yelverton.

The Co-operative Group has invested £300,000 at Moorland Villas to upgrade the former Plymouth and South West (PSW) Co-operative Society store.

It is among the first of the PSW food stores to be revamped as part of a £10-million programme to refit and rebrand almost 70 former PSW branches by the end of 2010.

The Yelverton store unveiled its smart new look and to celebrate it asked youngsters from the primary school to 'star' at the opening, with Meavy School receiving a donation of £200 for its funds to mark the occasion.

The store has beed transformed with modern décor and new refrigeration, plus a more shopper-friendly layout.

It will carry many Fairtrade foods. There will also be  'honest labelling' and reducing the use of plastic bags, by encouraging customers to use a greener alternative.

Martin Ford, store manager, said: 'As a community retailer it is appropriate that we involve the community in our special events and we are delighted our local school is playing a central role in the relaunch of our store.

'We provide a much valued service for the local community and I am confident our shoppers will be delighted with our improved store and wider selection of goods which will better meet all the community's daily grocery needs.