STORE bosses have arranged a red-hot opening for Ellesmere Port's £25m Asda Supercentre tomorrow.

Some of the old store's best-known staff will be arriving aboard a vintage fire engine to declare the new one ready for business.

Events co-ordinators Ann Pryor and Rose Evans along with admin clerk Bridget Homer have all been busy training as volunteers with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.

They have been taught first aid skills are also qualified to visit people's homes to fit life-saving equipment such as smoke alarms.

Organisers have therefore arranged with fire chiefs for them to turn up for the grand opening at 9.45am riding a 1940s fire engine.

Booked to play for the new store's first shoppers is a Dixieland jazz band.

There will be children's entertainment such as face painting, and sweets will be handed out to shoppers during the wait.

Paul Rowland, manager of the new Asda, said: 'We close the temporary store on Wednesday night, and we are really eager to get into our new home.

'We would like to say a big thank you to our customers who have patiently waited for the Asda Supercentre.'

Florence Jones, winner of the recent Lights Out competition in the Pioneer, will be turning out the lights at the temporary store this evening. Later she will be treated to a trolley dash at the new store in Grange Road.

* Asda is looking for local babies born on the same day as its new Port store. If your bundle of joy arrives tomorrow, ring the Pioneer and tell us on 0151 356 2345 as soon as possible.