A Ventnor shopkeeper has earned a top accolade from a prestigious retail consortium for providing "tip-top, beyond-the-call" customer service.
Daisy Prang, who runs the general store in Pillock Hill Road, has received a rosette from the Castleford, Pontefract and District Society of Shop Proprieters, who have also made her an honorary member. The accolade also contains an invitation to stay for a weekend at the Sunny Sorrento Bed & Breakfast, Featherstone, at her leisure.
Mr Leo Sminch, of Altofts, West Yorkshire, was on holiday on the island with his family - wife Sally and children, Britney (9) and Justin (7) - last weekend when they decided to take a drive around the coast.
"We hadn't been gone ten minutes when t'kids started asking for pop and crisps," said Mr Sminch.
"Well we were near Ventnor and I saw this general store store on't side o't'road.
"So I nipped in and grabbed some chocalate and pop. 't bill came to £2.35, but t'smallest I had were a tenner! What to do? But t'lass behind t'counter said it were all reet and - this is t'thing - she gave me £6.65 and said it were me change!
"Well, when we got back to Yorkshire, I told me mates in't Society - I'm t'hon sec - and they were reet chuffed and decided that such tip-top and beyond-the-call customer service warranted our highest recognition."
Ms Prang told us yesterday: "I remember that, oh yes. What a strange man he was.
"But I'm looking forward to my Featherstone excursion. Sounds very nice."
