A TYNE Valley sandwich shop has celebrated 10 years of serving customers.

Karen Robinson first opened Top Nosh, based in Haugh Lane Industrial Estate in Hexham, in July 2012.

She had originally planned to buy a pub but the sale fell through.

"I wanted to spend more time with my three children, and so with the sandwich shop having come on the market, it totally fit in with what we wanted at that point in our lives," she said.

Karen opened a second sandwich shop, Top Nosh Too, on Hencotes in 2018. She sold the branch in 2020.

Karen said she has 'loved' the past 10 years, adding she has a loyal customer base.

The 42-year-old said: "I'm just looking forward now to the next 10 years. I'm in a different situation, my children are older and I don't have to rush to get to the school to pick them up.

"I can concentrate more on the business now."

Top Nosh also offers outside catering, and Karen says she is 'pushing forward' as much as she can with this side of the business.

Karen and her team at Top Nosh have often gone above and beyond for the local community.

During October half-term in 2020, Top Nosh gave hundreds of free packed lunches to children who needed it after the Government voted against proposals to extend free school meals over the holidays.

A JustGiving page set up by Karen also raised over £4,000, which went towards supporting children during the Christmas holidays.

And at the beginning of the pandemic, Karen also donated food to key workers.

To mark the anniversary, the business has updated its branding, and now has a new logo and sign.

Karen also ran a Facebook giveaway competition, along with competitions in the shop.

Top Nosh offers a wide range of hot and cold sandwiches, salad boxes and boxed meals.

It is open from 8am-2pm Monday-Friday, and from 8am-12pm on Saturdays.