DIDCOT has got the shopping centre it 'needs and deserves' after the first phase of new high street names opened in the town.

Shoppers said they had rarely seen the town centre so busy as crowds came out for a chance to browse the new Orchard Centre shops including H&M, TK Maxx and M&S Foodhall.

Not put off by only six of 28 new units opening in the revamped centre, people formed long queues before ribbons were cut to officially open the shops.

Staff at H&M even broke into a choreographed dance routine before handing out vouchers to the first customers through the door.

Andy Berger-North, who directed the project for developer Hammerson, said: "I am amazed, we knew it was going to be good but not like this.

"The amount of people here show it is already a success.

"We are taking our time, getting the right retailers in for the town's needs.

"It's a rapidly expanding area and businesses want to be a part of this."

Mr Berger said he saw the centre as a destination where Didcot residents and people who live in the surrounding villages would shop more frequently than at other bigger nearby shopping centres.

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Advanced discussions are taking place with companies including clothing brand Fat Face and outdoors shop Mountain Warehouse in the hope that more retailers will move in soon, according to Mr Berger.

Matt Eastgate the new store manager at the M&S Foodhall said people had been waiting for the store to open for a long time.

He added: "The regeneration here is a massive draw and the community will thrive off it. This place was made for M&S."

Mr Eastgate, who has been transferred from the Bicester store, said he was still looking for staff, with the majority of those employed based locally.

Shopper Lynn Hurry, who has lived in the town for 40 years, said she believed the new centre would make a big difference.

She added: "When I first moved here you couldn't buy a pair of socks, it's amazing how much it has changed.

"I hope they are going to fill all the shops, I would love to see a really good restaurant open up.

"It will be nice to be able to come into town to pick up a few bits."

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Jackie Gay, 49, whose daughter Antonia has got a job in the new M&S, was concerned about the ability to fill up units, particularly as other shops in the town had remained empty for months.

She added: "I do think it is brilliant, I just hope it doesn't harm the independent shops."

Councillor for the area Steve Connel said he thought the success of the opening day would help convince a few more retailers to sign up.

He hailed the hundreds of new jobs created by the shops and said it would stop people having to commute long distances for work.

He added: "It is something we have needed and deserved for a long time and we are finally there."