A resident at a Brize Norton care home has cut the ribbon to open the home's new convenience shop.

Helen Clear, a resident at Brize Meadow Lodge, opened ‘Spitfire Boutique’, named in tribute to the nearby RAF Brize Norton base, and will tend to it from Monday to Friday between 10 am and midday.

She said: "I couldn’t wait to get the shop up and running as my own, and for everyone to see what we have in store.

"It feels just like old times, and it’s given me a sense of working life again. I never wanted to stop working."

Ms Clear worked in stores such as Debenhams and Primark during her career in retail.

She added: "I’m really happy with how the grand opening went; I cannot wait to get my first customer – this takes me years back."

The shop will operates on a cashless token system to maintain accessibility for all residents, and will sell toiletries, crafts, cosmetics, and greeting cards.

All residents will receive free tokens each week for purchases, with the option to buy more if desired.

Home manager, Frances Payne, said: "It’s so wonderful to see the smile on Helen’s face when she walked into the Spitfire Boutique.

"We can’t wait to support Helen in her new role of shop manager."