The sun shone as a taste of Scandinavia skipped into a new Ellesmere Port store.

Netto opened up bright and early in the Port Arcades opposite Asda bringing 20 new jobs and Scandinavian value to the town.

Mayor Lynn Clare was on hand to do the honours and tour the aisles with Netto UK managing director Morten Moberg Nielsen tempting her to a delicious almond and poppy seed Copenhagener pastry which is to the Danes what the croissant is to the French.

Morton Molberg Nielsen with Mayor of Ellsemere Port Lynn Clare

Mr Nielson and store manager Steven Hartmann had welcomed first customer Joan Christine Holmes into the store.

Youngsters from William Stockton Primary joined in the opening celebrations along with Netto’s giant LEGO Scottie, the biggest LEGO dog in the world.

Sandra Kozlowska, nine, Jodie Wright, 10 and Kirean Amoa, nine at the opening of Netto in Ellesmere Port

Founded in Denmark in 1981 and now one of Europe’s largest retailers, Netto employs 32,000 people in Denmark and more than 10,000 in other countries.

It hopes to have 15 stores in the north of England by the end of this year having teamed up with Sainsburys.

Mr Nielson said: “We look forward to welcoming new customers from the area and to bring a taste of Scandinavia to the town.

“At Netto, we think that everyone should be able to buy nice things, in a nice shop, at a nice price.”

Its stores sell fresh fruit and produce, fresh meat and Scandinavian treats with weekly spot deals.

The 12,000 sq ft store offers a range of over 2,000 products.