A veteran shop worker cut the ribbon at a new pharmacy.

Long serving colleague Alan Mason, who has worked at the nearby town centre store for 11 years, officially opened the new Boots at the Epping Forest Shopping Park on Wednesday.

The shop has created nine new jobs in the area.

Jim Thomas, manager of the new store, said: “Boots has been in the Loughton community for the last 66 years and it is exciting to be able to make our products and services even more accessible with the opening of this new location.

“We’re also really thrilled to have nine new members of staff joining us with more expected to follow.”

Boots UK will be celebrating the opening with a competition for customers to win one of two hampers each containing beauty products worth £150.

The first 200 customers to the store will also receive a beauty goody bag featuring No7 products.