I HAD the privilege of opening the expanded Asda store by cutting the ribbon for them - I was chosen as being a local hero!

A competition was printed in the press and people had to write to Asda telling them why they wanted to be chosen. I was treated like royalty.

A limousine was sent to the door and I was given an extremely warm welcome from the staff at Asda who went to great lengths to make sure it was so special.

I was presented with a lovely bouquet of flowers, given a gift voucher to spend and someone took me round the store in a wheelchair.

I found the whole day one to remember and thank you to all the people who made it possible. Faye, the Kylie impersonator, was so gentle and spoke to the public and I feel she could not have been kinder.

Mrs Dorreen Ward,

Whitethorn Close,

Huntington, York.

Updated: 11:10 Thursday, November 21, 2002