A NEW pound store opened in Bolton creating more than 20 new jobs.

Close to 100 bargain hunters passed through the doors of the newest Bolton Poundworld in its first hour of trading.

Mayor of Bolton Cllr Martin Donaghy and his mayoress Gay Wharton met with mascot Percy Pound to officially open the shop in Central Retail Park, off Manchester Road, yesterday.

It is the third Poundworld to open in Bolton and manager Marie Raine said many of the 22 sales assistants had been unemployed before coming to work at the shop. She said: “It’s been hard days and a lot of work getting the shop ready, but it’s been great.

“All of the staff are new members of staff to Poundworld, and getting this brand new shop going is something to be proud off.”

Assistant manager Amanda Moss, who had transferred from the Middlebrook shop, said the store had been turning people away all week before the official opening.

She said: “It’s been a really good morning, we have had quite a lot of people come to have a look and some people making some big purchases and the staff were really up for it this morning.

“A lot of people don’t know about this retail park, so we’re hoping we will bring more people in as they are visiting the gym or B&M.”