COWDENBEATH MSP Annabelle Ewing has congratulated the volunteers behind the Benarty Community Shop on being named Best Start-up at the Tay Cities Social Enterprise Awards.

The Community Shop, based in Ballingry's Benarty Square, opened 18 months ago, and in a short period of time has raised thousands of pounds and was able to make donations of £5,000 each to the the F24 project run at BRAG and the Deckdrive initiative at Lochore Meadows Country Park.

Speaking this week Ms Ewing said: “The Tay Cities awards have been established to celebrate the activity of social enterprises and their achievements in supporting local communities across the whole of Tayside and Fife over the last year and it is brilliant to see a wonderful community project from my constituency amongst the winners.

“The Benarty Community Shop has been a fantastic success and I am delighted that it has been recognised with this well-deserved award. Many congratulations to the management committee and the whole team of volunteers who make it possible".

The Community Shop intends to open a new extension at Benarty Square in the spring as the project gathers pace.

Added Ms Ewing: "I know that they have exciting plans to expand and improve the services they provide to the local community and I wish them every success in that.”