MANAGING director Sara Weller stopped off at the Argos store in her home town of Weymouth - 20 years after she first visited it as a teenager.

Mrs Weller, who took over as managing director of the retail giant in July, visited the St Mary Street store on a nationwide tour of Argos's outlets to boost staff morale over the festive season.

She arrived from the Dorchester shop just before closing time after deciding to take the Coombe Valley road to beat traffic on Dorchester Road.

Mrs Weller, who is staying with her mother Janet Hawke in Preston, said: "I remember the Argos shop - it was the first Argos store I ever shopped in.

"I have been back on visits to see my mother but this is my first official visit as managing director."

She added: "It is great to be back in Weymouth.

"We decided to take the Coombe Valley road rather than come down Dorchester Road because of the traffic.

"My mother always warns me about avoiding Dorchester Road."

Mrs Weller, who went to Wyke Regis Infants and Juniors, Weymouth Grammar School and then Oxford University, and her directors are visiting 200 of Argos's 580 stores over the festive period.

The Weymouth store was the last of nine on a run from Guildford in Surrey, through Hampshire to Dorchester yesterday.

Her visit came on the day thieves broke into the Dorchester Argos shop in Trinity Street, Dorchester, and stole jewellery.

Mrs Weller, whose late father was William Hawke, said: "It was the second raid in three months.

"But staff coped very well and were able to open at 11am.

"Quite a few customers held on for the store to open and trade recovered well."

The Weymouth shop remained open past 6pm as Mrs Weller chatted to staff.

Manager Jim Hansen said that it was nice to have Mrs Weller visit and that it was good for staff.

Mrs Weller was accompanied by area manager Rod Cooper and regional director for the south Paul Winn.

She was also due to pitch in and help in the stock rooms in Basingstoke on Christmas Eve.