FOOTBALL players Graham Fenton and Stuart Whitehead got the ball rolling for a new superstore yesterday.

The Darlington FC stars dropped in at the town's £1.5m Matalan store, on Neasham Road. The cut-price clothing company has taken over the site previously occupied by Co-op and Morrisons.

The development has brought more than 100 jobs to Darlington - and staff and customers celebrated in a style with a day of activities yesterday.

The official opening was performed by town mayor, Councillor Doris Jones, and was followed by a jazz band, face-painting and the making of balloon sculptures.

Store manager Peter Mason said: "The opening couldn't have gone any better.

"It was a really good start and the car park has been full throughout the day.