Kosher provision in Bournemouth is being extended with the opening of a shop on the premises of the local Hebrew congregation.

It offers goods unavailable from supermarket kosher sections. Before Shavuot, for example, customers were able to buy soft cheese for blintzes and cakes and a variety of speciality cheeses and baked items for the festival.

There is also meat and poultry, deli items and confectionery. Run by a team of volunteers,the shop will initially open on Thursdays and on Friday and Sunday mornings.

Shul president Brian Bradley was "overwhelmed by the support and good wishes for this extremely important kosher outlet for our community and our visitors. For several years, we hoped there would be an independent kosher deli in the town. But finally the board of BHC decided to investigate the possibility of our own facility."