OLYMPIC gold medallist Matt Langridge opened the new Aldi store in Northwich with the help of primary school pupil Maja Golda, who cut a red ribbon following a countdown by shoppers.

Golden envelopes were handed out to the first 100 people in the queue, each containing a prize, including the star prize of a 49-inch Ultra HD television.

The new store is much bigger than Aldi’s previous adjacent store, and includes a 134-space car park.

First in the queue was Teresa Kennerley from Northwich, and the TV was won by John and Patricia Maddock from Rudheath.

Teresa had arrived at the store at 4.30pm to make sure she bagged a good place in the line, and had been queuing since 6.10am.

“My husband said I’m crazy to have come along so early,” said Teresa, who works at the Morrisons distribution centre.

Maja, six, is a pupil at Victoria Road Primary School in Northwich, which was invited to take part in a competition to draw a picture of the new store.

“The store is great, and shows Aldi believes Northwich is up and coming and worth investing in,” said Matt Langridge.

“The fact there were a lot of people at the opening shows people are excited by the new store.”

Maja was accompanied by her parents Agnieszka and Grzegorz.

“Maja loves drawing, painting and crafts, and was so excited when she found out she had been chosen to help open the store,” said Agnieszka.

Store manager Phill Byrne said: "There was a real buzz as we opened the store, and customers seemed really pleased with their golden ticket prizes and our opening week offers in store.

“The team and I would like to thank Matt Langridge for coming along to help open the store.”

Over the coming weeks Aldi will be donating products to Mid Cheshire Foodbank.

The store opens from 8am to 10pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.