A SMALL village store is set to get a sweet treat after being chosen to have its shop name put on a Kit Kat bar.

Cowan Bridge Village Stores and Tea Room, between Kirkby Lonsdale and Ingleton, beat off the big supermarkets in the region to become one of 152 businesses in the country to receive the award.

“It’s quite an achievement and we’re really pleased,” said owner Geoff Hodgson, “I think the way the shop and tea room has taken off is really good for the local community as well.”

Nestle territory sales manager Richard Fraser said the store had been chosen to have its own Kit Kat, “because they’re very loyal – they stock nearly everything we produce.

“They also participate in every promotion we run.”

Last year the Gazette reported on the tea room becoming a hit with Japanese tourists after it was featured in a national magazine.

“He said they had come because of this article.”

Mr Hodgson took over the Cowan Bridge Village Stores four years ago, with partner Stephen Garry, after retiring following 34 years of military service in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Northern Ireland and the Falklands.

They opened the tea room shortly afterwards.

l Geoff Hodgson is offering any customer who shows this article at their next visit to the tea room 10 per cent off the bill (one per person).