Emmerdale Actor Tom Lister is centre stage at new Scunthorpe Poundland store

Hundreds of shoppers flocked to a new pound shop in Scunthorpe, as it was opened by one of the stars of TV soap Emmerdale.

Tom Lister, who plays Carl King in the programme, signed autographs and joined shoppers for pictures at Poundland on High Street.

His arrival came as bosses revealed they may reopen the recently vacated Poundland store at The Foundry.

A family fun day was held to mark the grand opening of the new store, which has relocated.

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Tom, who had never been to Scunthorpe before, said: "I have done a few things like this in the past and it is nice because the people who come in are Emmerdale-mad.

"You genuinely meet true fans of the show and it is lovely. It is always a good laugh and everyone is in good spirits.

"I have a crazy schedule at the moment because we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of Emmerdale this October. I had a window to do this though and it is always a great experience.

"I just try to be as friendly as possible because the people I meet love the show. I get star struck when I see famous people, so I try to imagine how I'd like them to react to me.

"The strangest situation I've had was in a different pound store, where a man asked if my autograph would help get him money off in store."

As part of the expansion the Scunthorpe Poundland has initially taken on 10 extra members of staff.

Andy McKeever, Poundland area manager for Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire, said: "We work very closely with the cast of Coronation Street and Emmerdale and are delighted that Tom agreed to come down for the opening of this new branch."

"There might even be scope for us to keep the former Scunthorpe store open. We don't know what to do with it yet, but still have the lease for another three years. There could potentially be something special to come and people should watch this space."

Customers were impressed with the store, which is double the size of the former store in The Foundry, with a wider range of stock.

Lisa Whiteley, 39, came from West Butterwick for the grand opening with her family. She said: "I think the new store looks nice and clean and there is a lot more choice.

"Tom Lister is gorgeous and I am a big fan of Emmerdale. It is my favourite programme and I came along especially to meet him."

Linda Taylor, 55, from Scunthorpe, said: "I used the old store a lot and this one is much bigger and better.

"Hopefully it will help to bring more people into the town centre. It was great seeing Tom Lister from Emmerdale. There were so many people queuing to see him."