Discount supermarket Aldi is looking to develop sites across Cheshire as part of an expansion drive.

The German retail giant has revealed plans to open 500 new stores across the UK.

The company has named Wilmslow, Helsby and Chester as places where they are hunting for suitable land.

The announcement comes following the opening of the supermarket chain's 1000th store in the country.

The move is part of a two-year £1.4 billion investment.

The retailer is searching for freehold sites in or near town centres and retail parks suitable for property development.

The sites should be able to accommodate a 20,000 sq foot store with around 100 parking spaces.

Ideally the location will be near a main road with good visibility and access.

Anybody who has a site that may fit Aldi’s requirements should contact info.nationalproperty@aldi.co.uk.

Richard Thornton, communications director at Aldi UK, said: “We want to make our great value groceries accessible to all, and to do that we need more stores, particularly in towns and areas that don’t have an Aldi already.

“The areas we’ve identified in our latest list are places where there is demand for stores and we are committed to continue investing until we can bring our quality products and unbeatable prices to as many people as possible.”

The company already has stores in Knutsford, Northwich and Winsford and is currently rebuilding a store in Widnes, due to open shortly.

Giles Hurley, chief executive officer of Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “Although inflation is easing, households are still under real pressure from higher living costs.

“As a result, Britain is shopping very differently to how it did 18 months ago – fewer trips, more own label products, and switching supermarkets in search of better value.

“What we’re seeing is a new generation of savvy shoppers who’ve turned their back on traditional, full-price supermarkets in favour of transparent, low prices, which is what we’re famous for.