CIVIC leaders in Wantage have welcomed the opening of Sainsbury's huge new superstore as the first and largest commercial operator to begin trading on the new £30m King's Park Centre.

The opening is the first significant milestone since the ten-acre Limborough Road redevelopment got under way in October 2005.

The creation of a new commercial centre to complement the historic market town's existing businesses - which has been the goal of the Vale of White Horse District Council for the past 20 years - should be completed by June, The new Sainbury's store, almost twice the size of the original which first came to the Limborough Road site almost ten years ago, was due to welcome its first customers after a ribbon-cutting ceremony today.

Local councillors and members of the business community were last night given a preview tour of the store, followed by a drinks reception with company managers.

Former champion jockey and local racing hero, Richard Pitman, was due to be guest of honour at today's opening ceremony, along with three long-serving employees.

Kerry Turnbull, Margaret Horton and Marilyn Barnes, all of whom have worked for the company for more than 17 years, were also invited to join in the formal opening alongside Mr Pitman, who rode the winners of more than 470 races over the jumps.

Now a well-known racing journalist, and a BBC commentator for the past 20 years, he has owned and bred numerous winning horses from his home and small stud at Denchworth.

Sainsbury managers have described the new outlet as "brand new and significantly improved."

They say it has a wider range of products, and a new bakery producing bread and cakes on site, along with takeway food.

Sainsbury's store manager Kevin Chapman said: "We're very excited about welcoming our customers to the store, which is set to dramatically improve the current customer service, with a bigger, better store and modernised facilities.

"The development represents a significant investment for Sainsbury's as well as a major retail enhancement for Wantage and the surrounding area."

Julie Mayhew-Archer, chairman of the Vale of White Horse District Council, said: "The Limborough Road development has been years in the making, and the opening of the new Sainsbury's store is the first step to bringing new life to Wantage town centre.

"This is the culmination of many years of complex negotiations involving several partners. I look forward to the completion of the development later this year, which I'm sure will bring many benefits to Wantage."

Mayor Julia Reynolds described the store and surrounding development as "very attractive and welcoming", adding that it was "absolutely essential" to increase the vitality of the town and encourage more people to stay rather than travel elsewhere.

She said: "The design is excellent as there is a walk through from Sainsbury's to Grove Street, making it very accessible on foot to the Market Place.

"I am certain that this long-awaited development will draw people into Wantage and discover for themselves what a delightful little town we have."