AN IRVINE convenience store has been honoured at a top UK awards ceremony for its work in the local community.

The Day-Today store in Bourtreehill, known as the Bourtreehill Supermarket, was crowned the overall winner in the Spirit of the Community category of the Asian Trader Awards.

The award recognises the store for the fantastic contribution they have made in the local area which extends over a number of years.

It is the latest awards nod for the business, based in the Lower Vennel, after it was highly commendedin the Community Retailer of the Year category at the Scottish Asian Business Awards.

The Bourtreehill Supermarket has  ploughed "tens of thousands of pounds" into a number of community initiatives over the years.

The business is owned by Imran Ali, whose family have run stores in the area for more than 35 years.

They took over the former Co-op store and it has been a mainstay in Bourtreehill ever since.

The shop team is consistently organising events in the community, and setting up initiatives to give back whenever they can.

Their efforts have included giving out over 200 selection boxes to the local primary school last year, running free kids arts and craft workshops, building an under fives soft play and a cafe in the shop, and their 'heat and eat' initiative, which allows pensioners to come in and enjoy a free hot meal, a carton of juice and fruit - with a delivery service also available.

Meals are donated by the store every time a customer donates money in the store's collection tin or purchases a carrier bag.

Imran said: "After a fantastic Hallowe'en set up for the local children, continuing our heat and eat project for local elderly, we flew out to London for the awards.

"This awards recognises our community involvement. Thanks to the local community for supporting us.

"We don't get grants or funds but continue to go further and spend tens of thousands on events for local children, schools and the local community.

"It's great to see local children's faces and little things make big difference and have a positive impact on our village.

"Our profits are tighter and operating costs through the roof, but we continue to put more into community projects."