AN award-winning independent supermarket is the first in its kind in the UK to offer local people local produce with an online food shop service delivered to their door.

Dike and Son Superstore and Cafe in Stalbridge, North Dorset, are joining the big four multiples with their next day van delivery service, offered seven days a week, which can be ordered online by local postcodes.

The supermarket and the new site have a firm focus on delivering and supporting local food and produce.

Currently Dike and Son’s stocks more than 130 local growers, makers and bakers, and employs 95 local people directly.

Their hard work and dedication won them recognition from the Countryside Alliance Awards in 2012 when the store was named South West Champion for Local Food in the ‘rural Oscars’.

It is now the biggest independently-owner supermarket and deli in the West Country.

Managing Director Andy Dike, who is the fifth generation of the family to run the company, said that the company has always offered a local delivery service which is a lifeline to many elderly people in the rural area as they can telephone in their orders and the team will take them their shopping.

He said: “My father William, who ran the business for over 40 years, used to hate watching Tesco delivery vans driving past the shop and swore he would one day be able to compete with online shopping.

“Sadly he passed away before his dream was realised, but myself and my mother Deirdre, who is Company Secretary, are very proud that we have the first independent shop in the country to offer a complete online shopping service to our customers.”

The website was developed by full service digital agency Strawberry Soup who worked closely with the family to develop the website, including having to write descriptions for approximately 15,000 products.

Strawberry Soup managing director Neil Dennis said: “We have been working closely with Dike’s for a number of years to develop their new supermarket website. It’s been great to be involved with a local business and giving them a site that enables them to compete with some of the bigger names.

“The team at Dike’s have worked so hard to produce everything that was needed to launch the site and we wish them every success with it. We look forward to continuing working together with them and seeing the site grow.”

In keeping with the store's passion for supporting local suppliers, the website lists over 1,000 local products, allowing customers to support their local economy while also helping smaller local producers and suppliers that don’t have their own e-commerce sites.