BURNHAM-ON-SEA's lifeboat had a special invitation to cut the ribbon and open The Southern Co-operative’s new food store.

As well as being given the grand job, the lifeboat also received a £500 donation at the official opening on Berrow Road on Wednesday (April 12).

Lesley Hart, volunteer crew member and chair of fundraising at the Life Boat Station said: "We are extremely grateful to have been chosen by The Southern Co-operative to be their local charity.

"The RNLI relies heavily on legacies and donations from the public and the money donated will be put towards current fundraising efforts to improve station facilities at Burnham.”

The community food store will be open from 7am until 11pm, seven days a week with allocated customer parking and a Paypoint facility.

Jo Smith, manager of the new store, said: "We are very excited to be opening this new store in Burnham-on-Sea and we’re supporting our local RNLI Life Boat Centre because it’s clearly a charity very close to the town’s heart.

"The centre relies so much on donations for such an important job that our choice was an easy one.

"We have had great fun today and look forward to engaging with the community in Berrow.”

The creation of the store has resulted in 18 new jobs.

The fundraising partnership forms part of The Southern Co-operative’s community engagement programme, ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’.

This initiative addresses four key social themes, as identified by a survey of over 4,000 members and colleagues, for promoting: ‘Greener Neighbourhoods’, ‘Healthier Neighbourhoods’, ‘Safer Neighbourhoods’, and ‘More Inclusive Neighbourhoods’.

Charities and community groups can also apply for cash donations or goods in kind through the ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ scheme which is funded by the 5p single-use carrier bag levy.

For more information on how to apply, speak to your local store’s manager, or visit: www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk/makingadifference/love-your-neighbourhood/.