TOP of the shops!

That's the Greggs bakery in Bury which has scooped the honours in a major in-house competition run by the popular company.

Staff at the busy Minden Parade store are celebrating after they beat 125 other regional Greggs outlets to win the North West's Shop of the Year competition.

The contest has been running since 1991 but this is the first time the Bury shop has triumphed by taking the title for the best overall performance during the year.

All shops are judged against a number of criteria including sales growth, savoury and sandwich growth, mystery shopper assessments and waste and wage control. Shops are monitored throughout the year and the winner is the one with the highest points score in all categories.

Every member of staff at the winning Bury shop receives a cash prize while manager Angela Wright and her assistant manager Alison Preston also got an inscribed watch. All will be treated to a meal by Greggs.

And pride of place in the Minden Parade shop belongs to a large shield which was presented to the staff. It is being displayed for all customers to see.

Jubilant Bury manager Angela Wright said: "We're all absolutely ecstatic. We can't believe it and are all delighted."

The winning of the award was tinged with sadness for the staff who are mourning the sudden death of colleague Deborah Marshall who had worked at the shop for the past five years.