NEW Lidl stores could soon open in Knutsford, Alderley Edge and Holmes Chapel.

The German discounter has announced plans to open dozens of new outlets as part of a massive expansion drive.

The supermarket chain has released a list of more than 1,000 areas where it wants to build new stores and Knutsford, Alderley Edge and Holmes Chapel are places that has been earmarked for development.

The budget retailer has 860 stores in Great Britain and is aiming to have 1,000 by the end of 2023.

Lidl

Lidl

The ambitious plans form part of the company's £1.3 billion investment for 2021 and 2022.

Lidl plans to to open 50 additional stores this year, creating 2,000 new jobs.

A spokesman for Lidl said: "We’re on track to meet our ambitious target of 1,000 stores by the end of 2023.

"We’re looking for great quality locations for our new stores to help us continue our phenomenal growth."

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All new stores will feature solar panels and electric vehicle charging points.

The primary focus for the first phase of expansion is town centres, edge of city centres, retail parks and metropolitan locations.

Lidl already has a store in Wilmslow.