A LEOMINSTER deli has been given a new lease of life after being bought by one of the stars of The Archers.

Eric Allan, who played Bert Fry in the Radio 4 series, purchased Barber & Manuel with his daughter-in-Law, Natalie.

The radio soap opera star, who is now in his 70s, had been visiting Leominster when he decided to take on the business.

The Allan family live on the Gloucestershire border and while Eric helped fund the purchase, the day-to-day running of the business will be managed by his son Mike.

He said his father "walked past one day and said 'I'm buying that place".

"We grew up in Stroud which is very similar to Leominster," he added.

"He felt the shop was so run-down and empty and had no personality and that's how it started. We want to give it a new lease of life."

Changes have already been made to the shop, including external alterations and the installation of additional lighting.

"There's more lighting in the cafe and we've filled the shelves with local goods including beers, preserves and other local food like Tyrrells and meat from Quarry Farm [based in Luston],"said Mr Allan, who added that his wife will also be making home-made goods for the cafe.

"We want to get people to Leominster for somewhere nice to have a coffee and buy some local produce.

"We think it's going to be brilliant and we're enjoying being part of the community."