A new survey suggests that local shops, many of which are due to open on Monday, will do well when customers return.

According to the financial services group, Legal & General, over half of those surveyed will shop local after the coronavirus lockdown.

One of the Frome shops re-opening on Monday is Milllers Homestore, which will open in the Westway on Monday June 1 at 10am, with card and contactless payment only.

The research centres around Legal & General's research with Cebr which explores how consumer behaviour has changed in the UK as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

The survey also shows that in the South West - more people than anywhere else in the UK have been volunteering.

· Almost a fifth (18%) of people in the South West are volunteering during the COVID-19 crisis – representing the largest volunteering community in the UK

· Over half (58%) of volunteers are helping by doing grocery shopping for others

· Over half of people in the South West planning to 'shop local' and buy more goods in local stores after the lockdown to help their local economy.

In the nationwide results Isolation Economy research has found that 10 million UK adults are serving as an informal 'volunteering army', supporting local communities and helping vulnerable people. Each week, the work these volunteers are doing has an equivalent economic value of more than £357 million, with each individual contributing on average three hours of their time.

Nigel Wilson, CEO at Legal & General said:

"Being more isolated has made us also more inclusive. Britain's community spirit has doubled down in lockdown, forging an informal army of volunteers who are now a key part of our national infrastructure in the crisis. Individuals and families have come together and created new ties across communities, cutting across age, income and circumstances.

"We have become a nation of volunteers during the COVID crisis. And - judging by the millions who plan to continue after the lockdown - it is a change that is here to stay."