THE champagne was flowing when Manchester United star Gary Neville opened a new lingerie shop in Bolton.

Gary and his wife Emma were special guests at a cocktail evening at Silk in Chorley Old Road.

Lauren Kilmartin, aged 36, bought the Silk brand from the previous owner, Lynn Turner, in September, this year.

Lauren has now re-launched the shop in Heaton, just a mile up the road from the original premises.

She said it was great to have Manchester United captain Gary and Emma opening the store.

She said: "We had a great response from everyone who attended the opening.

"A lot of people said they would come back, when it was quieter, for more intimate fittings."

Gary's wife Emma did not treat herself to any lingerie, but she said she would go back to the shop again.

Lauren said: "People said they had missed Silk being around. Everyone was very complimentary."

Gary and Emma stayed in the shop to look at the ranges, but left to watch the England game against Croatia.

Lauren said: "There were many couples there, but we lost a few of the men at that point."

Without Gary, who has been out injured all season, England lost 3-2, thus failing to qualify for Euro 2008.