BOLTON Wanderers legend Nat Lofthouse proved he still has huge pulling power years after hanging up his boots when he was besieged by fans at the opening of a new supermarket.

The Wanderers president joined the Horwich town mayor, Cllr Joyce Kellett, and mayoress, Nichola Kellett, to declare the Tesco Extra store officially open on Monday.

The store, in Mansell Way, has created an extra 200 jobs as well as maintaining the 304 staff who worked in the original store on the opposite side of the road.

Mr Lofthouse, who represented England in 33 internationals and scored 33 goals, was overwhelmed by shoppers who were eager for a chat with their football hero.

The 76-year-old, who lives in Edgworth, has been loving every minute of Wanderers' success this season and has never missed a home game in 62 years.

He said: "I get very anxious for them at every game, but as long as they are winning I am happy."

Eager shoppers queued outside the store before it opened at 8am and the first customer through the door was presented with a bottle of champagne and bouquet of flowers.

Vera Slater, from Lostock, had only intended to pop into the new store for a few items, but left with a trolley full. She said: "It was a lovely surprise to come shopping and be told I was the first customer."

Tesco acquired the Middlebrook site after the Government approved a planning application by the company and paper makers Georgia Pacific (who were then known as Fort James) to carry out a land-swap.

Georgia Pacific, which employs 600 people, will consolidate its operation on the side of the road using the old Tesco store.