Shrewsbury’s new £15 million Tesco Extra store opened for business today with shoppers queuing outside to be among the first at the checkouts.The doors opened at 8am – more than two hours ahead of the official opening of the Harlescott store.

Tesco spokeswoman Suzie Myers said about 30 people were outside the shop before it opened.

She said: “It’s been really busy already. It looks good and the reaction has been great and everyone is smiling.”

Manager Chris Oldfield has invited members of the local community to mark the new store launch as well as George Osborne MP, the Conservative Shadow Chancellor.

Later, Mr Osborne will be in Telford to meet the prospective Tory candidate Tom Biggins before visiting Dawley and Oakengates.

Shopper Steve Stanley, from Gains Park, was the first customer through the door and won a £100 prize.

Mr Oldfield said: “It’s going to be a great day here at Tesco Shrewsbury.

“There’s a glass of champagne for everybody attending the official launch which takes place at 10.30am plus it’s going to be a day of double celebration for myself as it is my birthday.”

As part of the celebrations, a donation will be presented on behalf of the Tesco Charity Trust by the Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Roger Evans, to the Bayston Hill Memorial Hall Committee.