A Co-op store which has faced multiple attempted robberies in the last five years has won the supermarket's Team of the Year award.

Colleagues at the shop in Colney Road, Dartford, scooped the accolade at a ceremony held at the Madejski Stadium in Reading.

They faced competition from more than 1,000 other Co-op branches.

A safe colleagues/safer communities campaign was launched by the grocer earlier this year with the aim of highlighting the challenges shop workers face.

Team members at the East Hill area store were commended as being a beacon for the initiative after they were subject to a hammer-wielding attack.

Three robbers raided the supermarket in January and demanded staff open a safe before making off with cash from inside.

This was not the first time the shop had been targeted having been held at gunpoint last year.

Co-op area manager David Jones praised the workers for their "togetherness" and "exceeding all performance targets".

"They are a great example of what can be achieved with a smile on their face and a can-do attitude, and how by working together communities can achieve great things," he said.

Shadow deputy leader of Dartford council, Cllr Laura Edie (Lab), also praised the hard work of the team in spite of what she said were "awful situations".

"I'm over the moon for the colleagues at the Colney Road Co-op for getting the recognition that they deserve with this award," she said.

"They've dealt with some awful situations, having faced six attempted robberies in the last five years.

"Despite this they are always friendly, hard working and welcome customers to the shop with a genuine smile and enquiries as to how they are.

"I know that this means the world to some of our residents, particularly the elderly who may not have much social interaction throughout the day other than this. So congratulations and well done for all you bring to our community."

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