A supermarket that will create up to 45 new jobs opened today.

Aldi in the Orchards Shopping Centre, was officially opened by mayor of Dartford Cllr Ian Armitt this morning.

Visitors had the unique pleasure of being greeted with a DJ so they could be entertained as they shopped until they dropped.

Plans to move into the building were approved in September, following the closure of Waitrose in February 2014, after 10 years of trading.

Store manager, Ben Kaila, said: “We have been looking forward to the opening of our new store in Dartford and we’re hoping to see plenty of shoppers throughout the morning take advantage of our opening week offers."

The supermarket’s arrival marks the second stage of a major town centre development to replace the upmarket store following the opening of discount firm Poundworld in April.

The last phase will see a 24-hour gym built above Aldi but Orchard bosses were unable to say when an operator will be in place.

And Lidl could soon be set to join its counterparts in the town centre after an application was submitted for a new store in Instone Road.

Council leader Jeremy Kite said the supermarket’s arrival is the latest step towards a town centre revival following the decision by Tesco to abandon its plans for Lowfield Street.

He said: “I think Aldi will be very successful in Dartford and help lift the other shops in the mall as well.

“Our town centre has a long way to go and I don’t want to promote a false dawn, but I believe we are getting back on our feet.”