A 55-year-old estates manager who completed a 500 plus mile sponsored trek for charity has been chosen as the ‘Local Hero’ and VIP who will officially open the city’s new B&M Bargains store at Chester’s Forum Shopping Centre on Friday, October 24.

Paul Banks, a father of one and grandfather to two, who lives in Bache, Chester, and who was nominated for the B&M honour by his wife Julie, is now looking forward to joining the Sheriff of Chester Cllr Herbert Manley, for the official opening ceremony on Friday morning.

“I was delighted to be chosen but certainly didn’t expect it,” said Mr Banks, yesterday. “Hopefully the attention will boost my charity work.”

Earlier this year Paul completed a 566 mile trek from France to Spain via the Pyrenees to raise more than £3,000 for dementia charities. He had been spurred on by the fact that an uncle had been struck by the potentially debilitating condition.

B&M’s new Chester store manager Amanda Sullivan explained that she and her colleagues had chosen Paul from a list of nominations for the ‘Local Hero’ role. She said: “I’m delighted that Paul has been chosen. He is a real local hero whose charitable efforts make him stand apart.

“He will receive £250 worth of shopping vouchers as a thank you for his contribution to the opening.”