An Ottery business has announced shoppers will be able to spend their old tenners in its stores as part of a note amnesty.

Abbotts DIY will be allowing customers to spend in its Ottery and Seaton branches until after Easter. The shop operated a similar service when the old £5 note and £1 coin was phased out.

The current paper note will no longer be legal tender from March 1. Under the changes, shops will not be allowed to hand out the paper note after next Thursday but can bank the notes long after the date.

Co-owner Chris Abbott said the store made the decision as customers may struggle to change the notes before the deadline due to the loss of banks and post offices in the towns.

He said: “We will be providing an extra convenience for shoppers while doing their shopping rather than making a separate trip to the bank or post office.”