STAFF at the new Sainsbury's superstore at Wantage gave their first customers a warm welcome last week - and they needed to.

A crowd of shoppers gathered in the first real snowfall of winter as the store - twice the size of the original built ten years ago - opened its doors.

Workmen with bulldozers worked frantically to clear snow from the Limborough Road site, while others formed spade gangs to spread grit on pathways and the entrance road to the store's car park.

After the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony was carried out by one of the staff stalwarts, Marilyn Barnes, 51, of Upthorpe Drive, Wantage, assisted by guest of honour, former champion jockey Richard Pitman, from Denchworth, a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of champagne were presented to the first male and female customers.

Beryl Maile, from West Hendred, described her flowers as "absolutely marvellous", a response echoed by Richard Thompson, 37, of Westcot, on receiving the champagne.

Mrs Barnes, a Sainsbury's worker for 18 years, was joined at the opening ceremony by fellow long-serving colleagues, June Ohr, from Warmans Close, Wantage; Kerry Turnbull, from Stockham Park, Wantage, and Margaret Horton, from Grovelands Court, Grove.

Mrs Horton, 58, who has been with the company for 19 years, celebrated her birthday on the same day. She said: "It's rather nice of them to open this up for my birthday, isn't it?"

Sainbury's UK retail director Ken McMeikan, complimenting the staff on the smooth changeover from the previous site, said : "On behalf of all of the board, thanks for what you've done.

"We're indebted to Mr Pitman for coming along today, but the stars of the show are you. That's what makes the Sainbury's name what it is.

"Feel proud and enjoy today; It's a big day for you all."