Held at the Premier Lawnside store of Sukhwinder (Suki) and Santoth Singh Samra, in Nailsworth, near Stroud, the presentation was attended by the Mayor of Nailsworth, Sue Read, officials of the local residents' association and council officials.

No fewer than three local newspapers covered the event, which also hit local radio.

The cheque was presented by MSYS chairman Alan Toft. The Samras won the cash for their community in a national competition. Suki nominated the best local project in which a retailer could invest cash for the community.

The money will be donated towards urgently needed improvements to the local Forest Green play area, which is a popular venue for local children and their parents.

Mayor Read congratulated the Samras on their community spirit and their involvement in local activities. She said the cash prize would kick-start new equipment for the play area, which had been hit by council spending cuts.

Suki, who has run the store with her husband for six years, said: "This is a very exciting moment for our business and for our lovely customers and the community in which we are so happy."

The shop is a full-service c-store and newsagent and is supplied by the Booker depot at Gloucester.

Toft told ProWholesaler: "The Samras are fully integrated in their local community. Their store is an important focal point for the area and its popularity was proved by the way in which so many people attended the presentation.

"The local media were there in force, adding to the business profile already enjoyed by this Premier outlet.

"The Samras prove that the personal touch is a winning strategy for running a successful local store. They prove that MSYS is on concrete philosophical grounds."

The Samras are now busy planning for National Independents' Week, which MSYS is organising for the first time, commencing on June 4.

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