A NEW supermarket declared its champion ambition by securing a top athlete for its grand opening yesterday.

Aldi opened its new store in Westhoughton with Olympic bronze gymnast, Kristian Thomas.

He was joined by pupils of Sacred Heart RC Primary School, who cut the ribbon to announce the Bolton Road store open for business. It is the sixth Aldi store to open in Bolton, and will be run by manager, Scott Highton, along with a team of 30.

Kristian will also visit Sacred Heart after the half-term, to deliver an inspirational assembly addressing the benefits of eating healthily and exercising as part of Aldi’s Get Set to Eat Fresh programme. It hopes to inspire 1.2 million school children to learn more about the benefits of cooking fresh, healthy food.

The first 30 customers received a free bag of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Kristian said: “What a brilliant morning! It was a real pleasure to be a part of the store opening and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the children of Sacred Heart RC Primary School.”

The new store will open 8am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm Sunday.