LAUNCESTON schoolchildren will take on star status to perform the ribbon cutting ceremony to officially launch the former Somerfield store in Launceston, on Friday.

The store at Broad Street is among the first in the UK to convert to a Co-operative, following The Co-operative Group's £1.56 billion acquisition of the Somerfield supermarket chain.

Pupils from Launceston Community Primary School will be presented with a donation of £200 for school funds by store manager John Opie, to mark the occasion.

"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 relaunch of our store," said Mr Opie.

The store will feature The Co-operative Group's new brand identity which aims to highlight its commitment to supporting local communities and ethical trading policies, as well as improved service standards across its 5,300 outlets in the UK.