A new Lidl store has finally opened its doors today following a long-running store wars battle.

The budget supermarket in Medway Road, Gillingham, is the Towns' first branch after first being given the nod more than two years ago.

Since plans for the development were announced in March 2019, it has been embroiled in controversy after opposition from nearby rivals Asda and Tesco.

Plans were repeatedly challenged by the rival supermarkets, with councillors considering the plans four times before permission was granted for the final time in October 2021.

Construction eventually began earlier this year with the doors opening this morning at 8am as queues of customers eagerly waited.

Among them were Denise and Des Smith who usually go to the Lidl in Gravesend – almost 11 miles away.

Denise said: "It is just what we wanted. We always shop at this time of the day as it is usually not so busy so thought we would come here.

"We were getting annoyed that it kept being opposed as we are only down the road."

Kerrie Gardener was also queuing outside and planned to do her weekly shop.

She said: "I love Lidl. I always go to the ones in Maidstone and Sittingbourne so I am pretty excited to have one closer to home. I thought I would come down this morning and give it a go."

The supermarket has a bakery, customer toilets with baby-changing facilities and parking for cars and bicycles and has provided 40 new jobs.

This morning, staff were handing out free shopping bags and trolley tokens while mascots from Gillingham FC welcomed customers.

One of the first to leave the store was Jabeen Sethi who had bought items from the bakery, strawberries and yoghurt for her mother.

Jabeen is also a member of the neighbouring mosque and said: "Many of our community are from Germany so all of us have been waiting for this to open.

"We are there in the evening for prayers and we will be using it all the time. It is really important for the community."

Geoff Edwards also left with a bag full of shopping before heading to work which included a bag of Portuguese tarts, venison grillsteaks and bread.

The Gillingham resident said: "I have been waiting for Lidl to come here. There has been a lot of controversy so I wanted to share my support.

"It is good for a quick shop and has a good variety of food that I cannot get elsewhere like the venison grillsteaks. It also saves you a lot of money."

Lidl GB’s regional head of property, Adam Forsdick, said: “It is fantastic we are able to open our doors and welcome everyone into our new store in Gillingham.

"We have received overwhelming support from residents and we would like to thank all those who have played a part in delivering this new store.

"We now look forward to serving our multi-award winning products to everyone.”

The company has also proposed a new branch in Roman Way, Strood, at the former Cuxton landfill, although the planning application is still being considered.

It is open from 8am to 10pm from Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.