BY far the busiest Rock retailer on the opening day was fashion store Primark.

More than 1,200 people, many spurred on by false rumours that the shop was selling all goods at £1, formed a queue stretching more than 100 yards before the 11am opening.

And as the customers entered Primark, more and more people joined the queue which only very slowly diminished in length.

Crowd control staff positioned outside the entrance only let a certain number of shoppers into Primark at various intervals.

At the front of the queue were 13-year-old schoolgirls Ellie Pollock and Gemma Basnett. Awaiting the store opening, Emma said: “I’ve been queuing since 9.30am. I thought the store was opening at 10am and not 11am. We also heard that everything was being sold for £1.”

Among those clearly delighted by the huge numbers who turned out was Primark’s UK sales director Mr Ben Mansfield.

He told the Bury Times: “The Rock marks our 199th store and our 200th one will open within the next few weeks.

“We always get a good response at our store openings. The Rock development is fantastic and we are delighted to be a part of it.”