Aldi will open 130 new stores in the UK over the next two years, after sales hit a record high in 2017.

The German grocer said the move will create 5,000 jobs, while helping it move towards a previously set target of 1,000 stores by 2022.

Currently there are 13 Aldi stores in Norfolk, with a handful in Norwich and others spread from King's Lynn to Great Yarmouth.

There are however some gaps in market towns like North Walsham, Swaffham, and Downham Market.

Aldi also has six stores in Suffolk, with most based in or around Ipswich, creating the potential for more stores to come to mid Suffolk.

The network will be supported by plans for three warehouses in Sheppey in Kent, Sawley in Derbyshire; and Bedford, as well as the extension of existing distribution centres in Darlington and Bathgate in West Lothian.

The store expansion announcement came as Aldi revealed that sales grew 16.4% across the UK and Ireland to a record £10.2 billion in 2017.

Full-year operating profit rose 26% to £265.9 million.

Giles Hurley, chief executive of Aldi UK and Ireland, said the supermarket's investment signalled its 'continued commitment to growing responsibly in the UK'.

The grocer also outlined plans to boost its range of British suppliers, who already account for its core range of meat, eggs, milk butter and fresh meat.