Gilletts Callington has continued to extend its retail empire with the purchase of its 51st store in the South West of  England.

The independent Spar retailer's newest store is located in Bampton, close to the Devon/Somerset border. It was sold on behalf of the retiring Seward family, after being in their ownership since 1908.

Paul Heather, of Christie & Co's Exeter Office, said the purchases showed that convenience stores were still much in demand. "Despite the current economic uncertainty, the appetite for these types of businesses is still healthy," he said.