HORDES of shoppers descended on Primark in the Golden Square Shopping Centre today to be one of the first to browse the racks of the budget fashion Mecca.

Keen shoppers armed with shopping baskets could be seen queuing outside the store before the fashion favourite had opened its doors.

Store manager Tony Ledsham said Primark arriving in Warrington ‘had been a long time coming’.

Mr Ledsham added: “There is a Primark in Manchester and Liverpool but nothing in between but now the people of Warrington have one on their door steps, which I’m sure will be popular with a lot of people.”

Grace Evans, from Orford, was one of the first through the doors of the much-anticipated store to get a bargain fashion-fix.

She added: “Before, I would go and spend £200 or £300 to stock up for a few months at other Primark stores. Now I won’t have to.”

Mother of one Hayley Humphries from Orford said the store was a welcome addition to the shopping centre.

“I am happy that we have one now. What I like about it is the price and that I can shop here for myself and my daughter.”

Andrew Persival from Paddington was a bit more downbeat about Primark’s arrival in Warrington.

Carrying an overflowing shopping basket, he joked: “I’m skint and you can blame my wife for that. She just keeps throwing stuff into the basket.”

His wife Ria added: “I think it’s brilliant. I’m surprised it has taken Warrington so long to get one.”