HIGH street favourite Marks and Spencer has reopened with new look.

A jazz band and champagne reception greeted the first customers as they walked into the Darlington store on Thursday.

The store remained open while work was carried out over the past 20 weeks.

And it was proudly reopened by manager Elaine Smith, Mike Weatherburn, who has 25 years of service this year, and Dawn Weir, who also has 25 years of service.

Arthur Hughes, 80, who provided the original sign for the store when it opened in 1946, costing 15 shillings and Lynda Chandler, who has 30 years of service this year were also in attendance.

Ms Smith said: "The whole shop has been improved from the front door to the back door.

"We now have public toilets, and changing facilities to die for. Customers seem very proud that this is in their high street, and they are excited by our new extended ranges.

"We have had nearly 200 people in the new coffee shop, which is in an area of the shop which the public have never seen before. We are really proud of it."

The store was opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and throughout the day there were competitions and makeovers.

More is planned for today, when there will be face painting and balloon-making for children.