THE first supermarket in this country opened 50 years old this week -- setting in motion a shopping revolution that transformed our lives.

But while the first self-service store came to South London in 1951, Bolton had to wait until 1970 for its first major supermarket, and that is still in existence today.

On Tuesday, May 19, Asda at Astley Bridge -- at the junction of Blackburn Road and Moss Bank Way-- opened its doors for the first time, to the amazement of local residents.

Margaret Koppens, a 61-year-old member of Halliwell Local History Society and shopper at the store from the beginning, said she thought the supermarket was "wonderful" when it first opened.

As a mother of two small children, she used to shop at Hanburys -- "a glorified corner shop" -- and the Co-op where you were served at a counter

When she first set foot in Asda, she found it slightly "overwhelming" -- but ever since then, she has done the majority of her shopping in supermarkets.

"At the supermarket, the prices were a bit cheaper and we had a wider choice," she said.

"But you did tend to spend more money because it was all there in front of you."

Astley Bridge historian Derek Worthington remembers the Co-op on Crompton Way -- where B &Q now is -- as an early version of the supermarket which opened in 1963.

His wife won a "supermarket sweep" there in the mid-70s. Derek pushed the trolley, which she filled with £110 worth of groceries -- including luxuries such as tinned salmon and fruit.

In the meantime, Asda had started to offer anything from garden chairs to paint, alongside the usual items -- all under one roof, at the site of a derelict mill, according to Derek.

The 60,000 sq ft store -- with a "large, free, car park" thrown in, according to the BEN at the time -- boasted 18 "cash-out points" and employed 140 staff when it opened.

In those days, a 27-year-old father of two children headed the food section, prompting a BEN advertising feature writer to comment: "Managing a modern store like this one at the Hill View Shopping Centre is really a young man's game."

But some things have not changed since 1970 -- as another article referred to people's passion for talking "shop".

"Especially among the fairer sex -- whether you are in a bus, at the sewing meeting, or at the hairdressers, the subject of shopping is bound to come up sooner or later."

And with Asda opening, there was plenty to talk about.

"A shopper's dream" and "an Aladdin's wave of wonder" was how it was described.

A BEN feature continued: "Just to see this large, well-stocked, attractive friendly place is worth a visit, to say nothing of the variety of products, the bargains and realistic prices.

"Everything is clearly marked and the very simplicity of the displays gives them an inviting look."

One drawback: "Finding your way round such a 'with it' centre for the first time."

But in the end, attractions such as the "colourful display of fresh fruit and vegetables" and what became known as the "Asda price" made the day.

"The cut-down prices available should enable most housewives to keep their families as well nourished as ever, and, at the same time, save a considerable amount on the housekeeping."

One of store's first employees, Brenda Whitehead from Bromley Cross, is still there today.

She started as a check-out girl shortly after the launch, and moved on to being a supervisor, personnel manager and now deputy customer service manager.

According to Brenda, a grandmother of five, people shopped in town or at corner shops before the advent of the supermarket.

And she remembers her first glimpse of the store leaving her feeling amazed at the vast amount of products available in one shop.

All these items were not shelved, she said, but simply "stacked up from floor to ceiling" -- and there was no conveyor belt at the check out -- only a "flat counter".

The tills she used to operate -- while wearing a thick cotton, orange "box-shaped" uniform -- were old-fashioned and during power cuts they had to be cranked up by pulling a lever.

There were also in-store concessions, such as the bacon counter which was operated by an outside firm.

One thing that has not changed over the years is the popularity of the store -- yet customers' attitudes has.

Said Brenda, aged 60: "It has always been a busy store but people used to be more patient.

"Now everybody is always chomping at the bit in the queue.

"But before, the queue must have been 15 deep and nobody said anything and someone would always just make fun of it."