HUNDREDS of eager shoppers queued outside the new Tesco superstore in Calne last Thursday (November 30) to be the first through the doors.

To mark the official opening, Mayor of Calne Tony Trotman was given the honour of cutting the ribbon at the doors of the much-anticipated store.

Shoppers entered with their baskets in hand in front of welcoming staff members before carrying on with their weekly shop.

Mayor Tony Trotman, said: “People have been expecting it for a long time and I think to see the people there was absolutely amazing. It is really good for Calne to have such a store coming and it will accommodate all the new residents in the developments in the north and it will stop people going out towards Chippenham, Swindon and Royal Wootton Bassett."

The new superstore has created 200 permanent jobs, 180 of which have gone to Calne residents, as well as a further 40 seasonal jobs.

Store manager Kevin Kiernan, said: "We were delighted to have so many people queuing ahead of opening, and we really hope that all the shoppers who passed through our doors like the new store that we have brought to the town.

"We have recruited the vast majority of colleagues working in the store from the Calne area, and a huge amount of work went into getting the store ready for opening.

"We've been really happy with the response we have had from customers and it was great to see so many people pass through or doors on our opening day."