SUPERSTORE boss Stuart Smart aims to bring a taste of Blackburn to American shoppers.

For the 39-year-old general manager at the town's Asda superstore is jetting off to Ada, Oklahoma, to find out about life at a store owned by parent firm Wal-Mart.

And Stuart is taking with him a few things to give his hosts an idea of life in Blackburn - including glossy council booklets, an autographed Rovers shirt and a supply of Thwaites beer!

"Part of the reason for the visit is to talk to my American counterpart about products they stock, so perhaps I can get Thwaites beer on their shelves," he said.

Blackburn Asda was twinned with the Oklahoma store in an FA Cup-style draw carried out by the firm to match all its UK stores with American ones.

"It should be quite an experience," said Stuart, who lives in Wigan.

"The Wal-Mart store there is more than four times the size of mine.

"And I'm told it's snowing heavily out there at the moment!"

As part of the store twinning, 25 staff from Blackburn are being linked up with penpals from the American store.

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