The new Co-operative store on Crediton High Street was officially opened by the Town Mayor, Cllr Frank Letch and Mayoress, Natalia Letch.

The new store represents a more than £500,000 investment by The Co-operative Food to create a fresh, new-format food store, for the community and has created about 20 new, full and part-time jobs for local people.

The store has a focus on fresh, chilled and healthy foods, ready meals and essentials - It will also include an in-store bakery, and an ATM.

The store also offers a range of "Free From" foods - free from wheat, gluten or dairy which have been developed with the help of a special taste team panel made up of Co-operative employees who have Coeliac disease.

The store is also to pioneer a new role, known as a Community Pioneer, where a member of the food store team, will also work to foster involvement and participation in community activities, from local fundraising initiatives to helping to understand and develop solutions to meet community needs.

Colan Atkinson, manager of the new Co-operative Food store in Crediton, said: "We are thrilled to have a fantastic new food store with which to serve the Crediton community – it is an exciting time for the whole store team, we believe the store will really be an asset to the community.

"The Co-operative is a community retailer, and we are committed to playing an active role in local life, embracing the area's community spirit. The store will be a hub for the local community, and customers will be able to find out what is going on locally, and learn about how The Co-operative can benefit local groups.

"With the combination of our innovations in our own-brand 'Loved by us' range, and The Co-operative's commitment to lowering prices on hundreds of everyday essentials under its 'Fair and square' prices banner, I am confident we will provide the community with everything needed to pick-up delicious food conveniently and create inspirational and tasty meals at home."

The new Co-operative food store opens between 7am – 10pm, seven days a week, and there are offers and promotions in and around the store to mark its launch.