More than 200 shoppers waited eagerly outside Ilford town centre to catch the first glimpse of fashion and home store, Primark.

The 220-store chain’s director Breege O’Donoghue cut the ribbon just after 9am, before the waves of shoppers spilled into the three floor store.

Area manager Clive Armitage said: “We have wanted to open a store here for years, so this has been a big project.

“The Ilford store is one of the bigger ones in the area, along with Romford and Lakeside.

“The shop was only handed over to us from the builders six days ago, so it has been all hands on deck getting it ready for the big day,” he added.

Jade Peters, 23, of Ilford, said: “There seems to be more choice than other Primark stores.

“There’s a big children’s section, which is good as there are a lot of families in this area.”

The opening has created 182 jobs, and the store features women’s, men’s and children’s fashion, as well as footwear and homewear.

Store manager Simon Gibbs said: “It gives a real buzz seeing all the shoppers queuing outside.”

Queues soon started to form at till points as shoppers filled their baskets with low priced items.