A security guard queued for ten hours to ensure he was the first through the door at the opening of a supermarket.

A multi-million pound Tesco store was officially opened in Chester-le-Street Market Place yesterday.

The development will help breathe new life into the northern end of the town centre.

First through the doors was security guard Bob Heaton, 62, who had left his home in Jacques Terrace, Chester-le-Street, at about 10pm on Sunday night to ensure he would be the first in the queue.

He said: "I always wanted to be first at something like this but I didn't dare tell the wife because she would think I was daft."

Mr Heaton took grandson Robert, 11, along with him to keep him company during the vigil. When the shutter doors went up at 8am, Mr Heaton was treated to a champagne reception and was presented with £100 worth of Tesco gift vouchers by store manager Matthew Feather.

He also met BBC Look North weather presenter Paul Mooney, who helped open the store. During the opening, a £500 cheque was also presented to the Durham and Chester-le-Street Carers Support organisation by Tesco.

Plans for the Tesco development were first announced four years ago, but were delayed while a public inquiry took place.

The proposals were then referred to the High Court, following an unsuccessful application for a judicial review by the Co-op chain, which has a store in nearby St Cuthbert's Walk.

At the time the Co-op, which has just undergone a £250,000 revamp, argued it would threaten its branch with closure.

Once the plans received the go-ahead, several small businesses also had to be relocated with money paid to them by Tesco, to make way for the North Burns Road development.

Town centre manager Christine Davies said the store had created more than 200 jobs, and it was hoped it would bring shoppers who normally travel to large, out-of-town supermarkets, back to Chester-le-Street.