HARRISON’S Newsagent has won the Swindon Advertiser newsagent of the year.

The winner was voted for by the readers of the Adver.

Husband-and-wife shopkeepers Ramesh and Hemlata Malam have run the shop in Newport Street, Old Town, for 20 years.

They decided to move down from London to set up their store in Swindon because they wanted to be able to balance childcare with work.

Hemlata said: “It’s an amazing feeling top win anything but to be recognised for doing something you love, that means everything.

“Thank you to everyone who voted for us, you have made all the hard work worthwhile.

“We are very proud to be awarded this and it will stick with us for the rest of our lives.”

This is the fourth time the couple have won an excellence award for their shop – with them winning awards in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Harrison’s is one of the only newsagents in the town that open from 5.30am. They also deliver papers 364 days a year.

Ramesh added: “We took a risk moving here to try something neither of us had any experience in doing.

“Since then we have established ourselves as a business and we feel we are an asset to the community.”