Construction of Stoke-on-Trent's newest Lidl supermarket has finally begun - with the opening date set for 'early next year'.

The retailer is opening its new store near Festival Park off Cobridge Road at the site of the old Streben garage, four years after the plans were first approved.

Spanning 1,334m2 and creating around 40 jobs, Lidl says the new store will have all the usual products, customer toilets with baby-changing facilities and an in-store bakery

Dominic Bryan, regional head of property at Lidl GB, said: "With our unique offering of award-winning, affordable products we've seen demand across Stoke-on-Trent continue to grow.

"We're thrilled to be constructing our seventh store in the area and delivering convenience to even more customers.

"It has been a real team effort behind the scenes to reach this milestone, and we can't wait to open our doors to new Lidl fans."

The land, on the corner of Cobridge Road and Pavilion Drive near Festival Park, had previously been cleared but there was little activity since, aside from Severn Trent and National Grid works.

Now with revised designs since the plans were first put forward in 2020, signs have gone up around the site saying "we're cracking on with your new store".

 Lidl has also confirmed there will be two rapid car charging points on the supermarket's car park.