A BUSY supermarket is not the obvious place to find peace and quiet.

But one check-out has proved an oasis of calm at Blackwood's Somerfield, thanks to checkout operator Anthony Watkins.

The kind-hearted Blackwood man raised more than £500 for children's hospice Ty Hafan.

His sponsored silence on April 22 and 29 raised the money through donations from shoppers, family and friends.

Duty manager Sue Salvidge said: "We were very proud. He can't keep his mouth shut usually so it was blissful silence!"

She said the store had put up lots of signs to let shoppers know why Mr Watkins wasn't speaking.