ALDI has announced a plan to open a new store in Inverclyde.

The company says it has earmarked Gourock for a new shop as part of a multi-million pound drive to open 20 branches across the country.

It would mean a third branch for the company in Inverclyde, with successful stores already operating in Greenock and Port Glasgow.

The proposal for a new Gourock store would bring a welcome retail jobs boost to the area.

Bosses from the the UK’s fifth largest supermarket say they have launched a search to identify the right site in the town for the new store.

They are looking for a 1.5 acre plot able to accommodate a 20,000 sq ft store with around 100 parking spaces, with a main road location preferred.

The announcement comes just a couple of months after plans were revealed for a new £700,000 Co-op in the town, at the Fisher Truck's premises on Cardwell Road.

Aldi, which now has 96 stores in Scotland, says it is after a 'freehold town or edge-of-town centre site' suitable for development.

Ciaran Aldridge, national property director at Aldi UK, said: “We have been investing in Britain for more than 30 years now, but we know that there are still areas that either do not have an Aldi at all, or that need another store to meet customer demand.

“Shoppers are increasingly looking to get unbeatable prices on their weekly shop without compromising on quality.

"That’s why, more so than ever, we’re keen to explore all opportunities to open new stores across the country.”

The company also plans new stores in Largs, Helensburgh and Dumbarton, while locations in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Ayr are also included in the expansion plan.