A SCRUM of customers armed with trolleys surged through the doors of the new Cwmbran Asda superstore as soon as it was opened yesterday.

Hundreds of shoppers - some of whom had waited for over an hour to be the first inside - witnessed the grand opening by loyal customers and staff of more than 20 years.

Eighty-six-year-old Barbara Dodd, from Croesyceiliog, cut the ribbon, helped by Torfaen mayor, Councillor Colette Thomas, and Alex Maher, 11, of Abersychan, whose competition-winning design will be made into a Christmas card and sold in-store.

Counter assistant Elaine Cooke, who performed the same ceremony at the former store, was also there to offer advice as a bunch of green balloons was released.

Mrs Dodd said the new 53,500 sq ft store was "wonderful", adding: "You can't compare it to the old store. I will carry on shopping here as long as I'm able and when I can't, I'll get someone else to do it!"

Councillor Thomas said: "This is a very special day for Cwmbran and a very exciting one for Asda. I wish the new store every success."

The completion of the giant supermarket is phase one of a £19 million redevelopment of the town centre and will be followed by a large Woolworths store and three further retail units.

Around 160 jobs have been created at Asda alone, with the addition of improved features to the old site, including an opticians department, photoshop, specialist food and takeaway counters and a coffee bar.

A two-storey, 850-space car park is alongside the store, and motorised scooters are available for the disabled and infirm.

Work began on the store last October and contractors from Tilbury Douglas Construction battled against the weather to finish on time.