STAFF at a Rossendale Co-op have a double reason to celebrate.

The United Norwest Store at Whitworth is the company's "Store of the Year" and manager Trevor Unsworth and his 23 staff have been well rewarded.

Trevor, 53, of Staghills Road, Newchurch-in-Rossendale, has been given a £1,000 voucher and the staff have received £50 vouchers.

In addition, every qualifying employee will receive an extra week's wages following the company's record-breaking financial year.

Said Trevor: "We won the award in competition with more than 20 Co-op stores in an area stretching from Rochdale to Blackburn and the Fylde. "It has been a great team effort. Trade has doubled in the last two years since we became a Late Shop which is open from 7am until 11pm.

"We have all pulled together and it is the best store I have ever worked in. The staff are great to work with and that means a lot."

Trevor has been manager of the store, situated at Thorneylea Road, off Market Street, Whitworth, for four years.

Before that he worked for three years at the Bury store and for 15 years at the Waterfoot Co-op, managing a lot of the time.

He has completed nearly 35 years for Co-op Stores, starting at the Rochdale Pioneers Society shop at Cawl Terrace, Rawtenstall.

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