Families in Bedfont have been piling into the new Tesco Express store in Bedfont which opened its doors on Thursday (23).

Guests of honour on the launch day were Hounslow Toy Library's Lucy Collins and Jill Cryan who were invited to cut the ribbon and declared the store on Staines Road open for business.

As part of the celebrations, the pair were thrilled to receive a £500 donation on behalf of the charity which lends toys, DVDs and books to children with disabilities, from manager Ivan Boska.

The Hounslow Toy Library also holds twice weekly play sessions and money will be used to buy more toys so parents who cannot afford too can come along and use them to help develop their child's skills.

Ms Collins said: “It is a safe haven for our special families giving the children an opportunity to play in a non-judgemental setting whilst parents and carers have time for sharing and a cup of tea.

"As a small local charity we are heavily dependent on the generosity of others to enable us to run this much needed service.

"We are very thankful to Tesco for this kind donation and it will be used to keep our service running.”

Mr Boska who has worked at Tesco since 2002, said: “We were delighted to be able to support the Hounslow Toy Library as it does such fantastic work for those living in the Bedfont community.

"We are so pleased that Lucy and Jill came to open the new store and join in the celebrations with us.

“We are really enjoying meeting our new customers and we hope that Tesco will become a key part of the local community.”

He added: "In this time of economic uncertainty, it is great that we are able to create jobs for our local community and help get people back into work.

“I am really pleased with my new team and I’m looking forward to working with them."

This is the second Tesco Express store to open on the Staines Road, in a period of 12 months, and has boosted local employment with all 12 posts given to people living in the area.

The new shop stands on the former Budgens site, while the other Tesco Express which was opened in May last year, is on the site of the once troubled pub Crown and Sceptre.

The store will operate seven days a week from 6am to 11pm.