A TWO-year-old girl took centre stage as a new supermaket was opened in Caldicot.

Imogen Ashwell-Lewis, who has touched many hearts with a campaign on her behalf to get treatment for a debilitating condition, helped cut the ribbon at the new Asda which has been built on part of the field at Caldicot School.

Imogen was invited to open the new store in Woodstock Way following a search for a local hero.

Imogen suffers from a condition known as spastic diplegia cerebral palsy, which means she is unable to walk unaided and relies on a specially-made wheelchair.

Her mum Catherine Ashwell-Rice, 36, of Lapwing Avenue, Caldicot launched an appeal through the Tree of Hope Charity to raise the £40,000 needed to pay for a pioneering operation, not available on the NHS, and has now raised more than the full amount through fundraising events and donations.

She said: "We're so grateful to Asda for their kind donation towards Imogen's treatment and we were delighted to be asked to officially open the new store.

"I would particularly like to thank Sylvia Mort, service section leader at Asda Caldicot, along with Vicki Allen and Natalie Brown, as without them none of this would have been achievable.

"To have raised this amount in such a short period of time has been overwhelming but thoroughly enjoyable. I've made a lot of new friends and so has Imogen."

Imogen was joined by pupils of Durand Primary School, the Mayor of Caldicot, Cllr Alan Davies and store manager André Ripano along with some 450 shoppers who were at the store for the opening.

Mr Ripano said: "Imogen's story is a very special one and the people of Caldicot and Chepstow have got fully behind her cause, helping to raise more than the full amount and we wanted to honour her bravery by making her our local hero.  

"We were delighted that the mayor and the community could join us for the opening of the brand new store, which will make a huge difference to local people."

The store has created 135 new jobs.