OLYMPIC champion rower Matthew Langridge cut the ribbon to launch the new Aldi superstore at the former Vulcan works in Newton-le-Willows.

Matthew, who won gold in Rio last year as part of Great Britain's men’s eight team, opened the store this morning to a queue of eager shoppers.

Located on Vulcan Park Court, the store, which has created 10 new jobs, was opened at 8am.

Shoppers can expect to find Aldi’s exclusive Specially Selected range, weekly fresh meat offers and Aldi’s famous Super 6 on fruit and veg in the store as well as a wide variety of twice-weekly ‘Specialbuys’ every Thursday and Sunday, offering a range of products from gardening equipment to electrical items.

The launch also saw the unveiling of a winning masterpiece by schoolgirl Beri Salihi, 11, from Newton-le-Willows School.

Ahead of the opening, Aldi had set schoolchildren in the area the task of creating a poster to celebrate the new store.

Beri’s winning piece is now displayed at the front of the store and Matthew was on hand to present her prize to her sisters, who were there to collect it on her behalf as she was away on a school trip.

Matthew said: “I really enjoyed opening the new store this morning. It was great to see so many smiling faces as I handed over the Super 6 bags to customers in the queue.

“I was really pleased to present Beri’s sisters with her prize on her behalf and unveil her artwork to all the shoppers. You could tell lots of creativity and thought had gone into the design.”

Store manager, Claire Roberts added: “It was great fun opening our doors to the Newton-le-Willows community this morning – there was a real buzz as lots of shoppers explored their new store.

“Matthew was great with our customers and our winning artist, they were all keen to meet him, see his gold medal and get some pictures.

“We look forward to welcoming lots more shoppers over the coming days, it’s a great feeling to be open and offer the Newton-le-Willows community lots of fresh produce at amazing prices.”

The shop also has 111 car parking spaces and consists of 1,724 metres of retail space, offering an enhanced, convenient and varied shopping experience.

And Aldi is still recruiting for five store assistants and one apprentice for the shop. Information and applications on all roles are on aldirecruitment.co.uk/stores.

The store's opening hours are: Mondays to Saturdays from 8am to 10pm and on Sundays from 10am to 4pm.