A NEW Sainsbury's supermarket opened in Bradford on Avon today on the site of the former Budgens store by Elmscross Business Park.

Eager shoppers crowded outside the doors as staff gathered inside for the official opening.

West Wiltshire District councillor Rosemary Brown cut the ribbon to open the store along with Bradford on Avon town councillor Vicky Landell-Mills and one of Budgens' longest serving members, Pam Mogg, who has worked there for 18 years and has now joined Sainsbury's.

Cllr Brown said: "I think the store is absolutely vital for everybody because when you have a store of Sainsbury's reputation and everything they do for the environment with packaging and so on, it's really great.

"And they are continuing the home delivery service which is vital for the community."

Since Budgens closed in September the 11,000 sq ft store has been refurbished and there are plans to double in size to 34,000 sq ft by extending the store to the rear.

Steve Packman, store manager, said: "We have had 45 colleagues who have transferred over from the old Budgens store and we have 112 new colleagues who have joined us.

"It's about bringing the brand to Bradford on Avon and also a shopping experience that they will enjoy."