A HUSBAND-and-wife team have finished runners up in a competition to find the best neighbourhood shop in the west.

Alan and Sarah Appleby, who run Winsley Post Office and Spar, were nominated by customers and last week flew to Scotland for a champagne prize-giving ceremony.

They were up against stores from Bath, Bristol and south Wales in the West Country and South Wales Neighbourhood Shop of the Year competition run by dairy company Robert Wiseman.

Mr Appleby said: "We were absolutely delighted to take second place and all our customers have been really pleased for us."

The couple have put their prize a decanter and glasses on display in the shop.

Glastonbury store Heritage Fine Foods was the overall winner.

Mr Appleby said: "There was no way really that we could have competed with the shop in Glastonbury because they are a supermarket and we are a village store really."

Shops are entered for the competition by customers, before a panel of judges and mystery shoppers assess the product range, customer service as well as sense of community spirit.

Mr Appleby said: "My wife and I would love to enter the contest again.

"But if we could go in for the best village store category instead, I think we would wipe the floor with the rest of the competition."