ADDING quality service to the shopping experience can make the difference between the trip being a chore or a joy.

And for the businesses in Test Valley which impressed a mystery shopper, their good service and attention to detail was recognised and rewarded at a special ceremony at The Grosvenor Hotel, Stockbridge on Monday night. Town centre manager Christine Cole welcomed representatives of 20 businesses from Andover and Romsey before Andover MP Sir George Young took the opportunity of congratulating the winners.

"MPs have their own 75,000 mystery shoppers once every five years, and I'm used to that," he said. "But I was delighted to hear from Christine that this year more retailers had put their names forward and I think that is part of the whole process of making Andover and Romsey even more attractive places in which to shop.

"For Andover I'm sure that is part of the solution to the retail challenges that confront the town."

The Andover awards were presented by Test Valley Deputy Mayor Cllr Tony Gentle, with Romsey Mayor, Cllr Cheryl Collier, making the presentations to the winners from her town.

Andover Quality Award winners were: Solitaire Jewellers, Hargreaves Sport, Dawkins Pet Supplies, Poppies Babywear, Safeway, Woolworth, Class Costumes, W H Smith, Julian Graves, Marks and Spencer.