30711-53PURTON residents were greeted by a new face at their local shop as an Adver rep took up the role of shopkeeper for a day.

Evening Advertiser retail sales executive Andy Heron, 29, from Ramleaze, took a break from his role of travelling around Swindon by spending a day on the shopfloor of the Spar Shop in Purton.

The shop was picked from a hat and won Andy's help for a day to mark UK independent retailers day on June 1.

In an earlier than normal start of 7am, Andy quickly took to his new roles, bringing in deliveries, sorting out old magazines and serving customers following a short spell of training.

Talking after his 7am to 3pm shift, he explained: "This is not the sort of work I am used to, I have never worked in retail before only on a market stall.

"It was an interesting experience working in a village where everyone seems to know one another. Several people asked me who I was."

Jenny Smith, joint owner of the shop, said: "We kept him busy all day with the deliveries and returns. He did such a good job, now I know who to call when I go on holiday."