HEAVY rain failed to dampen the spirits of hundreds of people who flocked to get an early look at the new QD store in Boston when it opened its doors for the first time.

Based at the former Woolworths site in Strait Bargate the 14,300 square foot store had been the centre of national publicity last month when around 900 people queued up to be in with the chance of getting one of the 25 new jobs on offer at the discount retailer.

Among those who were successful were former Woolworths staff members including store manager Debbie Keal who was delighted with how the first day of the QD era went.

She told the Target: "It was lovely to see some familiar faces among the customers eager to snap up some great bargains.

"Many people have remarked how nice it was to see the shutters gone and the shop open and buzzing again.

"It is much better for the town to be busy with jobs being created rather than businesses closing down."

Mayor of Boston Cllr Maureen Dennis performed the ribbon cutting ceremony to officially declare the store open and received a cheque for her charity fund in return.

QD managing director Justin Farrington-Smith claimed the store would be good for shoppers and the town in general.

He said: "What we want is a strong, vibrant high street.

"There is no point in having QD Stores as an oasis on its own."

Norwich based QD has opened several new stores this year and says it is currently "implementing a programme of expansion to increase the number of high street QD stores in towns and cities across the UK."