SUPERMAN is alive and well – and providing a vital lifeline for the locked-down residents of Carhampton by single-handedly running the village store seven days a week starting at dawn.

Gary Thrush, who has run the store since 2013, was dubbed “the Carhampton Superman” after deciding to go it alone rather than subject his three staff to the threat of coronavirus: “They are of a vulnerable age and it didn’t seem fair to put them at risk,” he said.

Now he starts work at 5.30am delivering papers and groceries to the housebound and has built up a team of 15 volunteers ready to step in when needed.

“Despite the lockdown, the shop is really busy and particularly the Post Office,” Gary, 55, said. “I’ve built a barrier of milk-crates to keep customers a safe distance from the counter and everyone is respecting social distancing.

“It is a bit stressful but we’re doing all we can to help people cope with the crisis and provide a bit of reassurance and stability. Every day seems like Groundhog Day!

“The shop is the focal point of the village at the moment and I’m doing all I can to boost morale. We put up flags for St George’s Day and have organised a competition for children’s NHS rainbow pictures which are now being displayed in the shop window.

“My daughter works for the NHS in Taunton on the front line and, compared with her, I don’t think I am doing anything special. I’m just doing what I always do – helping people out, cracking on and hoping for the best!”

Carhampton resident, writer and cartoonist John Trueman, who has presented his “Carhampton Superman” cartoon (pictured) to Gary as a token of appreciation from the village, said: “Gary is working tirelessly seven days a week to provide an invaluable service.

“He is always cheerful and helpful and we are all grateful for the invaluable service he is providing. Gary is a very modest and unassuming and doesn’t know just how much he is appreciated by the community.

“He really is a ‘super man’!”