Bicester got a new addition to its high street after hardware store Wilkinsons opened its doors.

The Market Square store moved into the former Co-Op supermarket building after it closed last November with the loss of more than 40 jobs.

Bicester’s mayor Rose Stratford helped the head of the Oxfordshire Playing Fields Association, Meryl Smith, Wilkinsons’ chief executive Stuart Mitchell and store manager Duncan South cut the ribbon to officially open the shop.

Shoppers were treated to entertainment from a giant daffodil stilt walker, pictured, and a raffle, to raise cash for Age UK, the chain’s charity of the year.

Mr South said: “Opening day was a great success and I’m extremely proud of how hard the team has worked.

“We are extremely excited to have finally opened our doors to shoppers in the town.”