SAM LITTLE thrust his spade hard into the dirt to signal a new foodstore for his adopted town.

He began construction of Somerfields on the site of the old Caleb Wright Mill on Shuttle Street, Tyldesley.

And minutes after his ceremonial dig, the big diggers moved in as work started in earnest on a store set to open next April with 180 jobs on offer.

"The store will be great for the town," said Sam, who has seen astonishing changes since moving into the area from Geordieland.

The deputy mayor, who lives a trolley push from the new store, has been a councillor since 1958, starting with Tyldesley UDC and now as a member with Wigan Metro.

Somerfields will include an in-house bakery, delicatessen and rotisserie, baby-changing facilities and cashpoint machines. It will be flanked by a 191-space car park.

"I look forward to its opening," added Sam.

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