Colleagues at the Midcounties Co-operative in Evesham swopped tills and travel brochures for paint brushes and paint in a community challenge at the local church.

The nine-strong group from the High Street store volunteered their services to redecorate the well used parish office at nearby All Saints Church.

Team leader Eileen Parker said: “We spent the day painting and although it was hard work, it was fun too. Our volunteer challenges are a way of both helping the community and getting together to build on our team skills. We really enjoyed it and were happy to lend a hand.”

Parish Administrator Katy Tarplee said: “The parish office was in desperate need of redecoration. We have a part-time caretaker whose work is very much looking after the church so we really appreciated the Midcounties help. The volunteers did a great job and also saved us money.”

Midcounties bought the former Somerfield store in Evesham a year ago and added an in-store travel agency and a coffee shop as part of its investment. As a retail co-operative the Society looks to benefit its members and the wider community and to build links with local people and organisations.

Its extensive colleague volunteer programme takes on all types of challenges, to help not only local people and organisations but also the participants to develop personally and as a team.

All colleagues are eligible to take part in volunteer activity. Last year across Midcounties' trading areas they delivered over 27,000 hours of support in response to local needs.

Ends