BAKED beans, loaves of bread, tomato ketchup...and Paula Radcliffe!

Shoppers at the Asda superstore at Monks Cross, York, got a bit of a shock yesterday when they turned out of the fruit and vegetable aisle to find the queen of British athletics signing copies of her autobiography, My Story So Far.

Hundreds of people took the opportunity to have a quick chat and a photo taken with the star, who recently bounced back from her emotional exit from the Athens Olympics with a dramatic win in the New York marathon.

At one stage the queue had to be moved because it was blocking the entrance to the supermarket.

Paula was in York as part of a nationwide tour to promote the new book, which details her record-breaking marathon victories in Chicago and London - as well as her experiences in Greece earlier this year.

Paula told the Evening Press: "York is a beautiful city, particularly the Minster. I'm going to Manchester tomorrow so I won't have long here, but I do have happy memories of coming to the Jorvik Centre with my mum and dad when I was young.

"All the people I've met here today have been really friendly and welcoming."

Sarah Brooksbank, events co-ordinator for Asda said: "It's really fantastic that Paula is here today. We're all very proud that she's come to see us, and it was so exciting to meet her."

Robert Kay, 30, from York, bought a copy of the book and took a picture of Paula on his mobile phone. He said: "She's a great athlete. What she did in New York proved that."

Enid Marshall, 69, from York, had a copy signed for her daughter. She said: "My daughter found out Paula was here today, but she couldn't come in herself - so she rang me up and got me to come along for her."

Sheila Glover, 45, bought three copies of the book for Paula to sign. She said: "I'm going to give away two as Christmas presents - and keep the third for myself!"

Updated: 10:28 Monday, November 22, 2004