Haslemere’s Original Factory Shop has been named the UK’s Proudest Store in a national competition.

The top Proud of My Store prize was scooped by store manager Karen Coombes and her team at an awards ceremony in London.

Out of 300 entries, Karen wowed the judges with her story of pride, passion and charity commitment.

Despite being one of the smallest branches in the Original Factory Shop’s 167-strong UK network, the Haslemere-based team’s busy programme of charity work includes creating donation stations for its local foodbank, and ‘Trolley Tuesdays’ with foodbank-friendly items priced at £1.

The store has also partnered with charity Community Kit Bag, promoting the power of sport for mental wellbeing and offering the store as a free meeting point for local groups.

Karen and her team received the Proud of My Store trophy along with a £2,000 cheque, which will be divided between their favourite charities.

She said: “On behalf of the whole team, I’m overwhelmed to receive this honour. I’ve always said we are the smallest store with the biggest heart, and I’m so proud of the team and the work they’ve put in.

“Being recognised among our peers around the UK with this Proud of My Store win means such a lot to us, to our high street and to the whole area.

“The £2,000 donation will do so much good in our community and I can’t wait to share this good news with our charity partners.”