CHILDREN were the stars of the show when they were asked to perform the ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially launch the former Somerfield store in Pin Green, Stevenage. It has been converted to a Co-operative following The Co-operative Group s �1.56 bill

CHILDREN were the stars of the show when they were asked to perform the ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially launch the former Somerfield store in Pin Green, Stevenage.

It has been converted to a Co-operative following The Co-operative Group's �1.56 billion acquisition of the Somerfield supermarket chain.

Youngsters from Trotts Hill Primary School (l-r) Luke Grosch, Molly Bryant, Michaela Saville, Shannon Barrow, Sophie Gray, Semba Bwalya, Morgan Ferrari and Kieron Eaton were presented with a donation of �200 for school funds by store manager Charles Mussard (back right) to mark the occasion. They were joined in the ribbon-cutting ceremony by town mayor designate Michael Downing (back left) who received a donation of �250 for the Mayor's Charity Fund.

"The Co-operative is very much a community retailer so it is appropriate that our local school and mayor designate were involved in our special event. We are delighted they could play a central role in the re-launch of our store," said Mr Mussard.

The store features The Co-operative Group's new brand identity which aims to highlight its commitment to supporting local communities and ethical trading policies, as well as improved service standards across its 5,300 outlets in the UK, including its travel, pharmacy, funerals and bank branches.