An Emmerdale star will be gracing the streets of Watford this weekend to open a new pound shop on the High Street.

Tom Lister, better known as Carl King on the soap opera, will be cutting the ribbon for the new Poundland store on Saturday as well as signing autographs for fans.

The 33-year-old actor will be at the store from 10am to help kick off a family fun day being held there.

David Coxon, Poundland’s Trading Director, said: “We are delighted to announce this new development in Watford.”

Poundland will be the second store in a year opening on the site which used to be a Woolworths.

The fashion chain Life & Style opened in the unit last September.

However the store has been vacant since the national chain went into administration in the summer.

The premises is owned by Watford Borough Council which bought it in 2009 after the Woolworths chain went bust.

The council said it decided to buy the shop due to its commercially sensitive location opposite Charter Place which it is trying to develop.

After purchasing the old Woolworths unit the council split it into two sites with clothes retailer Peacocks also based there.

Dorothy Thornhill, Watford’s elected mayor, welcomed the news of the new store opening in the town.

She said: "It's always good news when large shop space is let in the town. The council bought the old empty Woolies building as it was a key site for Charter Place.

“This new lease means that we have got two flexible tenants. Also, we are told that the value of the property has significantly increased, so we got a good deal.”