CUSTOMERS lined up in long ranks on Tuesday morning to give the last rites to Andover’s Woolworths store.

After decades of service, the town centre’s largest store was closing for good and many were there to hunt down the last bargains at massive discounts offered by the stricken chain.

Everything was up for grabs with 70 per cent off, and even the shop fittings were on offer, with chairs marked down to just £5.

Particularly popular were children’s T-shirts – packs of five were selling for just £1.

Customers emerged from the doomed shop clutching their prizes but some were upset at the demise of what has been a British institution for almost a century.

James Urry, from Appleshaw, said that he had been a regular shopper at Woolies since it was situated on the other side of the High Street in Andover, and much lamented its passing.

He said: “They are virtually giving things away in there. I bought all this for my two granddaughters for about a fiver.

“Overall what has happened here is terrible and although it might be good for me today, the closure of this shop will not be a good thing in the long run.”

Former Woolworths employee Mrs Peggy Rocker, from Andover, had also been buying for her granddaughters.

She said: “I bought two My First Tooth dolls for £10.49 when their usual price is £34.99 and they were £14.99 yesterday.

“We have had some bargains today but the closure of this shop is a great shame as it has been on the High Street for such a long time.

“I think the main problem for them is that there has just been too much competition.”