SALES at a brand new budget supermarket have been 'higher than expected' during the first week of trading.

Bosses at Aldi's new New Hall Hey store in Rawtenstall said they had received 'great feedback' from customers who have been checking out the shop's bargains.

Shoppers were even treated to an official ribbon cutting by Olympic bronze medallist Kelly Massey and music from Crawshawbooth Primary School choir.

Callum Boyle, store manager, said: “Our new Rawtenstall store has been really busy since it opened last week and first week sales have been higher than expected.

“As with most new store openings we expect to see a peak in customers during the first few weeks and this has made our car park slightly busier than normal.

“The store benefits from 360 shared parking spaces and we have a number of spaces available to customers along the side of the store as well as to the back, which may not be obvious to shoppers when they arrive.

“We’ve received great feedback from customers so far, who have been impressed with the amount of space in store, as well as the customer friendly lay-out.

“We look forward to welcoming more customers in the coming weeks and months.”

Ms Massey, a 400m runner, said: "As an athlete, I can’t emphasise enough how important it is to get the right amount of fresh fruit and vegetables into your diet.

“For me, there’s no better place to start than with Aldi’s great-tasting selection of British-grown fresh produce.”

The 1,254 square metres store, which offers a wide variety of fresh and frozen produce, created 25 new jobs.

Cllr Andy McNae, Rossendale Council's regeneration boss, said: “This is another part of the regeneration of Rawtenstall which has seen a range of businesses come to the valley.

“These supermarkets provide a great deal of options for residents to choose from.

“Places like Aldi can help to offer hundreds of new jobs for younger people in the area.”

The store is open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 10pm and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

Aldi is still recruiting store assistants for more information visit www.aldirecruitment.co.uk/stores.