More than £650,000 is being invested in a supermarket in Dersingham, which has been taken over by a rival chain.

Central England Co-operative has bought the Budgens store in Lynn Road and will spend two weeks refurbishing the 7,000 sq ft site.

A spokesman said it would offer more products, including an extended range of chilled beers and wines,

While some residents said they would welcome a larger store with a wider range of products, fears were also raised that elderly customers would miss out on two weeks' shopping while the store is closed.

Sue Payne, Dersingham Parish Council chairman, said: 'The wider choice of products is all good news for the village, but the downside is the effect the two-week closure will have on older people, who go to the store to get bread, milk and fresh goods.'

Fellow parish councillor Kate Hathaway said: 'My personal view, and not that of the council, is that it's very short notice for villagers to prepare for this change. There are a lot of elderly people in Dersingham who use Budgens on a daily basis, and are unable to get on buses and don't drive. 'Budgens is always well-stocked. I would have thought they could have refurbished half the store, and kept the rest open. We do have another shop, Spar, in the village, but that's more of a convenience store than a supermarket.'

It is understood that staff at the store were unaware that it was being taken over, until they were told at the start of the week, but there are no suggestions that any of the 37 employees risk losing their jobs.

The new Co-op food store will trade during the same hours as its predecessor - from 7am-9pm Monday-Friday, 7am-8pm on a Saturday and 10am-4pm on a Sunday.

A Co-op spokesman said it would also offer Paypoint, Collect Plus, lottery, foreign currency, an in-store bakery offering breads and pastries, fresh and frozen product, Costa Coffee, and hot and cold food to take away.

From Monday, October 3, shoppers can pick up a free daily paper along with other giveaways at the site while it's being refurbished.

Are you concerned about the two weeks that it will be closed? Email david.bale2@archant.co.uk