The orange and blue balloons are out as a new Aldi store in Oxford opened this morning.

At 8am in Horspath Driftway, Rio Olympian silver medalist rower Olivia Carnegie-Brown cut the ribbon and welcomed the 60 residents who had been patiently queuing.

The 25-year-old former Oxford Brookes University student said: "It is really lovely to be back in Oxford.

"Our training ground is in Caversham, Reading and I am always going to the Aldi there, so it is brilliant this one has now opened.

"I love the meat and fish they have, I think it is just as good quality as anywhere else and you just can't beat the price.

"But I think my favourites are the special buys which are in the middle of the aisles- you never know what you are going to get!"

First in the queue at 6.50am was John Cleary, who lives in Cranmer Road.

The retired foreman said he wanted to make sure he got three irons for his family.

The 69-year-old said: "I am hoping to get some deals, I've had my eye on some irons.

"Then I will have a look around and see if there is anything else.

"This store is very close to me, it is only two minutes from my house which is very handy."

The new store, which stands at 906sqm has created 35 new jobs for the community and is still recruiting for three store assistants and two deputy store managers. 

As part of the supermarket’s community engagement strategy, Aldi donated tinned and dried food as well as clothing to Oxford Homeless Pathways.

Jo Faulkner-Harvey, head of fundraising at the charity, said she was delighted with the donation.

She said: "We've got underwear, socks, bedding, tinned food and we have also received a cheuque of £150.

"This is extremely generous and it will make such a difference.

"Everyone knows we have had recent funding cuts but we still need to get out there and do things that will continue to help our city's homeless population."

Aldi store manager, Angie Grima said: “The team and I really enjoyed meeting new customers this morning, and we look forward to meeting many more in the coming months.

"We’d like to thank Olivia for her support - it was certainly an interesting way to open the store."

The store in Horspath Driftway retail park will be open Monday to Saturdays from 8am to 10pm and Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

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