CROWDS gathered to see a celebrity soap star open Dorchester ’s newest store.

Actor Chris Gascoyne, who plays Coronation Street’s Peter Barlow, was on hand to cut the ribbon at Poundland’s official opening.

The town centre store held a family fun day on Saturday with music and giveaways.

It actually opened a week ago, creating almost 37 jobs, but an event was held to mark the official opening.

Mr Gascoyne greeted customers and signed autographs, and even shared a special moment with one young mum.

Charlie Teague, 20, brought eight-month-old Scarlet May to the opening.

Grandmother Shelly Daniels said: “Charlie is undergoing treatment, but she was allowed out of hospital for the day to come and meet him.

“She loves Coronation Street, so I think she will be going back to hospital a very happy girl.”

Charlie added: “It was great meeting him, and we had a chat and a photo. He’s very hot.”

Dozens of people watched from outside the store as the star cut the ribbon. He then chatted to staff and handed out vouchers before signing autographs at the back of the store where more fans were waiting.

One lifelong fan of the soap, 67-year-old Ronica Aplin, was delighted to get a hug.

She said: “I asked if I could give him a hug, and couldn’t believe it when he said yes.

“I think I started a bit of a trend, because everyone was doing it after that. It was amazing. He’s so lovely in real life.”

Mr Gascoyne said the people who turned out to see him were ‘lovely’.

He added: “I did not expect such a good reception so that’s nice.

“I know Dorchester through Thomas Hardy, and I’m actually halfway through Jude the Obscure at the minute. It’s a nice place.”

Support manager at Poundland, Jo Carpenter, said the fun day was ‘buzzing’. She said: “We normally have a fun day, with lots of things for families, on our first weekend of opening, to let people know we are here and have a bit of a celebration.

“We’ve had lots going on, including a DJ, and, it was great having Chris here to do autographs.

“We’ve been really busy.”