A new supermarket is set to open in Ashford this week - and the first customers to pass through its doors could bag a free give-away.

The first 30 shoppers to enter the new Aldi in Victoria Road on Thursday will receive a free bag of fresh fruit and vegetables.

The 18,500 sq ft discount store is positioned next to £1.7 million Chapel Down brewery, close to the Ashford International train station.

It will open for the first time from 8am to 10pm on Thursday.

Olympic silver medallist, Ruaridh McConnochie will declare the store open by cutting the ribbon at 8am.

The Team GB star, who grew up in Tenterden said: “I’m really looking forward to opening morning as it's a great feeling to give back to a community that's so close to my home.

"I hope I can inspire customers to stay active and maintain a healthy and balanced diet; with so much fresh produce on offer at Aldi Ashford, it’s really easy to do so.”

The development of the site has taken bosses two years to complete and has brought 40 new jobs to the town.

Mark Banks, from Rye, has worked for the company for 14 years and will take on the role as store manager at the new branch.

He said: “Having Ruaridh with us to host our grand opening celebrations is a fantastic start for the Ashford store.

"We’ve got some fantastic opening week special buys on offer and we look forward to opening our doors to everyone on Thursday.”

The Aldi store, which will feature 93 parking spaces, will open from 8am to 10pm Monday to Saturday.

On Sundays, the supermarket will open from 10am to 4pm.