IT WAS a day of celebration in Burnham-on-Sea yesterday as the long-awaited B&M Bargains store finally opened on Pier Street. 

As part of B&M’s Local Hero initiative, representatives from RNLI, and their mascot Stormy Stan, took centre stage to officially unveil the new store with the Mayor of Burnham, Cllr Michael Clarke.

In addition to opening the new store, the representatives also received £250 worth of B&M vouchers as a thank you for taking part.

There will also be a balloon giveaway and facepainter in store on Saturday September 24, to carry the atmosphere into the weekend.

The facepainter will transform customers into their favourite super heroes, animals or characters.

The former Morrisons has undergone a comprehensive internal and external refurbishment programme and created more than 60 new jobs for local people.

Store manager, Dennis Chick, said: “We’re feeling really positive about the creation of new jobs for people and feedback on the new store has been great so far.”

B&M is one of the fastest growing retailers in the UK.

Mayor Cllr Michael Clarke said: "I'm pleased to see the store open and relieved that something is being done with this vacant site, with over 60 jobs being created."

B and M's Operations director Martin Roberts also said: "We’re feeling really positive about the creation of the new jobs and opening - we hope customers are delighted with their new store."