SUPERMARKET firm Aldi say progress on a new store in Thornbury is on course for its opening this June.

The German retail chain took over the town's former Somerfield branch last November and began building work on the site this year.

It claims to be investing heavily in upgrading and refurbishing the store to create "an attractive, high quality shopping environment".

The firm told the Gazette this week that building work was progressing well and expected the store to be open in just two months' time.

St Mary shopping centre owner Peer Group welcomed the announcement.

Centre manager Alan Cole said: "It is really encouraging to see a new tenant investing so heavily in the town.

"Meeting with them, they seem very anxious to open the store and begin trading in the town.

"We expect the store to raise the appeal of the centre and attract more visitors to the town centre."

Thornbury Chamber of Commerce secretary Anne Pike added: "The sooner the empty space is filled with a supermarket, the better.

"We are pleased Aldi is moving to the town and accept it has been a long winded process.

"I don't think many people know much about Aldi and it will be interesting to see how people react when it opens.

"We hope people support the new store and shopping centre."

The store will have a sales area of 1,274 square metres and 43 parking spaces and will offer Aldi's full range of more than 1,000 grocery lines.

It is expected to take on approximately 12 to 15 full time members of staff.