STAFF from the Co-op in Chard said a fond farewell to the community by donating hundreds of pounds to charity.

As reported in the News, the Co-Op on Fore Street closed for the final time at the start of February after the retail giant moved out of the town.

The closure was greeted with sadness by residents, who described it as essential, and the closure came after the Co-Op group sold 298 of its stores to McColl's in July.

It is not yet known what will happen to the store, or how many staff have lost their jobs, as the company said it was making "every effort" to re-deploy staff at other branches in the area.

The shop closed on February 11 and as part of its farewell celebrations, staff donated £890 to Chard First Responders as a parting gift.

The Co-Op frequently raised funds for local community groups, and this was the final amount it raised before it shut.