TAUNTON has a brand new supermarket after discount store Aldi opened on the outskirts of the town this morning (Thursday).

Olympic Pentathlete Samantha Murray carried out the honours along with special guest Kevin the Carrot, giving one lucky customer a Christmas surprise.

He was hidden away inside one of 100 Christmas crackers presented to shoppers on the morning of the opening, with the lucky winner receiving a £100 shopping voucher courtesy of the store, to go towards their perfect Aldi Christmas dinner.

The festive ‘Freshtival’ - a celebration of Aldi’s commitment to providing fresh, British produce this Christmas - also featured store manager Tom Tulley and local mental health charity, Mind.

In a gesture of goodwill during the festive season, Mind is to receive a donation of refreshments and arts and crafts equipment from the store to help the group continue to carry out the invaluable services they provide in the community.

The new 1,254 sqm store provides shoppers with 94 parking bays for customer convenience.

A total of 20 new jobs have been created with the store launch and Aldi is still recruiting for a variety of roles in the area, including store assistants and apprentices.

The store, located at Bridgwater Road, Bathpool, opens 8am to 10pm six days a week and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays.