Tesco workers were greeted with a round of applause in Devizes today as the metro store closed for the last time.

It was the end of the line for the 45-year -old store which saw almost 50 people turning up to see it close with many staff shedding a tear or two.

After closing at 6pm, workers came outside to release 61 balloons, one for every employee. Each had a note on with thoughts about working for the company.

Personnel manager Tanya Hunt, who organised the balloons, said: “I thought it would make a nice way for everyone to remember the last day. Some people have written contact details on them for people to get in touch with how far they travelled.”

Ms Hunt, who has worked for the company since 1993, will now be going part time in a Swindon branch of Tesco.

The support from the community was mainly organised through Facebook by 18-year-old Jasmine Stickley.

Miss Stickley, who lives on the Quakers Walk estate, was inspired to organise the gathering as her partner’s mum Donna Robinson worked in the store.

The teaching assistant said: “I have been coming in the shop all my life; they were always like a big family in there.

“I thought they deserved some recognition for how important the shop has been in Devizes.”

Ms Robinson, 35, also from Quakers Walk, worked in the store for 17 years.

She said: “It went really well today and Jasmine did a great job getting people down here.

“It was amazing to have a send off like this.”

The checkout team leader will now be starting work as a care home assistant because as she is unable to drive, will not be able to get to another store.

Shop manager Kevin Kiernan said: "My colleagues and I are proud to have known and served so many great people from Devizes and the surrounding area.

"We really appreciate the support the community has shown us over the years and, while we’re sad to be leaving, we wish the local community all the best for the future."

Before the store had even closed sign manufacturer ASG wasted no time getting started and began removing the Tesco logo from the front of the building at just after 6pm.