HUNDREDS of people queued in the rain to be the first shoppers at the new Marks and Spencer store at Middlebrook.

Showers of confetti greeted the official cutting of the ribbon at 10am by store manager Joanne Creswell.

And shoppers were given a champagne welcome as they walked in.

Miss Creswell said: "We're very excited to be opening the store today, especially as local shoppers have been counting down the days."

The store employs 240 people and could take on more in the run-up to Christmas.

The building, which was previously occupied by Allders, sells clothing and food, as well as homeware and accessories. It also has a 68-seat cafe.

Among the guests at the opening was Brian Murrie, the manager of the M&S store in Deansgate in Bolton town centre, who said he was not worried about the possibility of the new shop taking trade from his store. Mr Murrie said: "We have to make sure the ranges complement each other. We sell more furniture and are geared more towards business shoppers and town centre workers - whereas this new store will attract a lot of weekend shoppers."

He added: "Our store is getting a makeover, which will start in April, and then it will be similar to the new store."

When plans for the Middlebrook store were revealed, they brought protests from town centre traders in both Horwich and Bolton. They objected to the move on the grounds that it would break a covenant restricting the sale of items such as clothes, shoes, books, jewellery and toys at the retail park.

But the scheme got the go-ahead after Marks & Spencer agreed to limit the space given over to the restricted items to 59 per cent of the store's total area.

Yesterday shoppers were treated to food tastings, prepared by chef Andy Gratton, as they explored the store.

Marian Keith, aged 60, from Chorley, said: "It is the best thing that has happened to Middlebrook, which you can tell from the number of people here."

Roger Davies, aged 64, from Preston, who was shopping with his wife Christine, said: "Middlebrook is getting better and better and it is so well organised. To be able to park right outside and walk in on a day like this is great."

Sharon Cross, from Breightmet, said: "The shop is lovely and it's so convenient. There is different stock to the one in town.

Her sister Wendy Swindells, from Smithills, added: "It's very modern, sometimes M&S is not always as up to date. I'm very impressed."

Mike and Emma Stratton, from Westhoughton, took their nine month old son George out for the day. Mr Stratton said: "The shop is very bright and welcoming."