Lowestoft's brand new B&M store was opened to the public today by the Deputy Mayor and the Lowestoft Lions.

Deputy Mayor Peter Knight and his wife Marina Knight were the first ceremonial customers, purchasing three Easter Eggs for the Lowestoft Lion's Easter Egg hunt on Easter Sunday.

Lowestoft Lion's Derek Ward also accepted £250 of B&M vouchers from the store as a recognition of their community work in the town.

The store has created more than 60 new jobs in Lowestoft, and is an addition to the B&M in Pakefield.

Mr Knight said: 'It's fabulous to see the shop opening. This area has been closed for a while with BHS going unfortunately so it is nice to see someone else taking the reins and really producing a beautiful shop.

'There is so much work gone into that shop and there are some amazing things in there. It is wonderful to welcome them to Lowestoft.'

Mr Ward said: 'We recieved the call ten days ago asking us if we would like to open the store with the Deputy Mayor and it is nice that we got the acknowledgement of our community work.'

Store manager Paige Capps added: 'There is a good feeling, there is a good buzz.

'The town needed a pick up so by bringing this into the town it isn't going to be another empty building is it at the end of the day.'

Customers were flocking in to the store immediately after it opened, with many positive about the store's impact on the town centre.

Stan Smith, from Lowestoft, said: 'It is a very long trek to get to the other shops so this is very convenient to have a shop here.

'It is quite large, we didn't realise when BHS was there that it was quite so large so we will have to come back again and have another look.'

Philip Mummery said: 'I think it is a good thing to have. It will liven up the town and it will increase the footfall so we will get more custom in town.'

The shop will be open from 8am till 6pm Monday to Saturday, and 10.30am to 4.30pm on Sunday.