SHOPPERS queued at Newton Abbot’s newest store this morning (Thursday) as Aldi opened its doors for the first time.

Crowds gathered outside the Brunel Road store all wanting to catch a glimpse of the new outlet and be some of the first customers inside.

Town mayor Richard Jenks, assisted by town crier Nigel Kenneison, was given the job of cutting a ribbon to formally declare the shop open for business before close on 90 early-bird customers took to the aisles.

The shop has replaced the crumbling building which had turned into a major eyesore since David and Charles shut several years ago and was subject to an arson attack in October last year with emergency services combating the flames for some 48 hours.

Staff from other Aldi shops have been redeployed to Newton Abbot’s store, built on the former David and Charles book publisher site – and an extra 10 full time jobs have been created.

The supermarket will be open seven days a week from 8am until 10pm Monday to Friday and 10am until 4pm on Sundays.