THE POPULAR Spar shop at Sandylands in Kendal reopened its doors to the welcoming public last week, five months after damage suffered during Storm Desmond forced it close.

Dozens of Sandylands residents attended to witness 2011 Britain's Got Talent Finalist Steven Hall cut the ribbon in the company of elated shop manager, Sharon Walker.

The Spar was victim to severe damage during the December floods, but as soon as the doors reopened, loyal customers filed in to support the 'vital' community shop.

Store manager Sharon Walker took a break from handing out champagne and cakes to the scores of shoppers to hail the moment 'the community shop returned'.

"We first opened the doors at half past six this morning and it has gone really well, it's been so busy and exciting," she said.

"It has been a long road getting here but the support we have had has been amazing.

"It's absolutely fantastic to see everybody back here, I just can't believe it's taken as long as it has, but it's just absolutely amazing."

Mr Hall, who rose to fame in 2011 on ITV's BGT, was only too happy to share the moment with the Sandylands community where he was once a resident himself.

He said: "This is immensely important for Sandylands, this is a symbol of the regeneration after the floods.

"It's a boost of confidence that everybody is getting back to normal, so it's a big YES from me."

Sandylands local Maggie Donald explained how people have missed having the Spar at their convenience.

She said: "This shop is the heart of Sandylands, it's absolutely the beginning of of us all getting back on our feet, it's fantastic to see."

Fellow resident Christine Garlett was also grabbing an early glimpse of the reopened shop. She added: "This is really good for this area, it's such a shame what happened in December, the community has missed this shop massively.

"I only live around the corner so it's vitally important to me."