ALDI opened its new store in Moreton in Marsh on Thursday to a flurry of shoppers, with a helping hand from an Olympic gold medallist.

Olympic rower Matt Gotrel, who won gold at Rio 2016 as part of the men's eight rowing team, cut the red ribbon alongside youngsters from his old cricket club, North Cotswold Young Cricketers, to declare the store open for business.

To celebrate the store opening, the first 30 shoppers were presented with a bag of free fruit and veg.

Mr Gotrel said: “I had a great time this morning meeting excitable shoppers, young and enthusiastic cricketers and the store team – It was great to be able to open this store, so close to where I grew up.

"I used to play for the North Cotswold Young Cricketers Club so it’s fantastic to open a store with them today."

The young team from the North Cotswold Young Cricketers Club, based at Batsford Road, received a donation of fruit and bottles of water.

Aldi store manager Andrew Richardson said: “It was great fun opening our doors to the Moreton in Marsh community this morning – there was a real buzz in the air and we were honoured to be joined by local sports enthusiasts including an Olympic star.

"I am very proud of the whole team as they have worked seamlessly to show what great team work can achieve.

“All the shoppers we met this morning were excited to explore their new store and we can’t wait to welcome many more through our doors.”

Customers will now benefit from 107 car parking bays and 1,254 sqm of retail space.

Thirty new jobs have been created with the store launch.