OLYMPIC gold medallist Matt Gotrel was on hand to officially open Aldi's new Kidderminster store this morning.

Team GB rower Matt was joined by members of dog rescue charity, Happy Staffie Rescue, and Kevin the Carrot - from Aldi's Christmas television advert - to cut the ribbon to officially open the store, in Silverwoods Way, to residents on Thursday morning (November 16).

The first 100 people in the queue received a Kevin the Carrot cracker - one of which contained the winning ticket to win their Christmas dinner, courtesy of the store.

Happy Staffie Rescue also received dog food and toys from Aldi Kidderminster as a Christmas treat for the dogs in their care.

Trevor Wilson, store manager, said: "We had a great turn-out this morning and customers were eager to get their hands on a Kevin the Carrot cracker.

"We would like to thank everyone for coming down to join in the festivities and we look forward to welcoming many more customers through the doors in the coming weeks and months."

Matt added: "I have had a great time this morning meeting excitable shoppers, dogs from Happy Staffie and the Aldi store team.

"I loved giving out Kevin the Carrot crackers to eager shoppers and I think it is great that Aldi paid for a customer's entire Christmas dinner. There will definitely be reason to celebrate in their household this Christmas."

The new Silverwoods Way store has created 32 new jobs in the area.

The store will be open Monday to Saturday between 8am and 10pm, and Sundays between 10am and 4pm.