IT was a never-to-be-forgotten day for Jan Davey - and one which helped launch a new era for a department store in Lowestoft.The proud Oulton grandmother was a VIP for the day and cut the ribbon to officially declare a new name and revamp of Chadds - to Palmers.

IT was a never-to-be-forgotten day for Jan Davey - and one which helped launch a new era for a department store in Lowestoft.

The proud Oulton grandmother was a VIP for the day and cut the ribbon to officially declare a new name and revamp of Chadds - to Palmers.

Jan, of Johnson Way, won a competition in The Journal to carry out the official duties for the day, and also picked up a �1,000 bedroom makeover prize as part of her winnings.

She was pampered and preened to make her day one to remember before being picked up from her home in a gleaming pink limousine and transported to the store in London Road North, on Saturday.

Accompanying her on the trip into town was her partner Lee Bowman, daughter Claire, Margaret Ferrow and Robert Bowman, whose wife Maureen had nominated Jan for the prize.

There were also 20 runners-up, who all won �25 vouchers at Palmers, who turned up for the occasion.

Jan's arrival at the store turned heads in the town centre as the limo made its way to Palmers.

She was greeted by managing director Bruce Sturrock and store manager Susan Patterson and posed for photographs before cutting the red ribbon stretched out across the entrance.

She was chosen to be Palmers' VIP for the day for her historic links with the store owners.

Her late father opened a bookshop opposite the Palmers store, in Great Yarmouth, thanks to �5 being loaned to him from Mr Sturrock's grandmother. Since that time her father and the rest of the family had been loyal customers and would always shop there.

'We lived above the shop and we would buy everything from Palmers,' said Jan.

'I wish he could have been here with me as he would have loved all the hype. It's lovely to say that I've help to start a new era for Palmers in Lowestoft.'