A MID Devon book shop has been awarded a £150,000 grant from an organisation that aims to support community businesses across England.

Crediton Community Bookshop received the money from Power to Change and will now be able to move to a bigger location.

The shop is currently on Crediton High Street, but requires a larger, more central location.

The store has been community owned since 2013, and the team now hope to turn it into a space that can be used to exhibitions and workshops.

Dee Lalljee, store manager, wrote the proposal to apply for the Power to Change grant.

She said: “Power to Change’s recognition of our work, especially the outreach we provide each year to some 3,000 school children and the many opportunities we offer to volunteers of all ages, is a wonderful vote of confidence.

“We’ve been conscious for many months that our present shop is too small.

"This grant provides us with the opportunity to expand both our bookshop and event programme, and to develop the enterprise as a community hub offering a broader range of services, and partnering with other enterprises to enrich the town and the lives of Mid Devon families.

"That we thrive at a time when so many bookshops have closed their shutters is entirely due to the support we've received from the local community.

"We see it as our mission to serve and support that community in every way we can."

The bookstore team are now thankful to their volunteers, as moving all the books and shelves will be a big job.

David Chater, head of community business funds at Power to Change, said “We believe putting business in community hands transforms places. "This grant will help Crediton Community Bookshop stand on its own feet and expand its much needed range of services for local people.”

The move will take place this month, and the new shop will reopen for business as its new location on September 24.