FOOD lovers in Abingdon are celebrating the return of an independent sandwich shop that had been serving freshly-made baguettes for two decades before its closure last year.

La Baguette, a popular fixture in the town's Market Place for 23 years, shut in August following the ill health of owner Margaret Salman.

This week the business returned under the ownership of Michael Llamas and in a new spot at 14 Bath Street.

Mr Llamas said: "I've employed the same staff, it's the same menu and same recipes, the only thing that's changed is the location."

He added the revival of the sandwich shop had gone down well with customers, saying: "People like the things they know and it's been even more popular than I expected."

At the time of the closure a post on Facebook page Spotted:Abingdon was inundated with more than 400 responses from 'devastated' customers.

Among those who commented was Ms Salman's daughter Sara who wrote: "23 years after setting up La Baguette she has made the hard decision to retire and close the shop. She is so extremely grateful to all the supportive and loyal customers over the years."

Mr Llamas said Ms Salman had been pleased to learn of plans to reopen the business she created.