A GROUP of schoolchildren will be stars for the day when they perform the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the opening of a new-look food store.

The Co-op, in Bearpark, near Durham City, is undergoing a £220,000 makeover and pupils from Bearpark Primary School have been chosen to cut the ribbon and declare the store open.

Store manager Julian Weetman is to present the school with a £200 donation to mark the occasion.

Mr Weetman said: "As a community retailer, it is appropriate that we involve the community in our special events and we are delighted our local school is playing a central role in the re-launch of our store."

The store will close for refurbishment at 7pm on Friday and will re-open at 8am on Thursday, September 27, followed by the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10am.