DISCOUNT retailer Lidl has announced plans to open a new store in Paisley, bringing dozens of jobs to the town.

The German firm hopes to invest millions of pounds in the store, which is planned for the vacant Wallneuk site, just off Renfrew Road.

It is set to form part of a larger retail development that aims to transform that area of town.

The new Lidl store would measure around 2,000 square metres, create up to 40 jobs and boast state-of-the-art facilities, including an instore bakery and "ample" parking for both cars and bicycles.

Gordon Rafferty, Lidl UK’s head of property for Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be opening a new store in Paisley, which marks another milestone in our ambitious store expansion programme.

"We’ve seen incredible demand for Lidl stores across the country and look forward to offering our quality products and incredible value to shoppers in and around Paisley.

“We are firmly committed to helping boost the local economy by creating new jobs and working with local suppliers in the construction of the new store.

"The team are very much looking forward to confirming a date for our public consultation day when we will outline our plans and get input from those who will directly benefit from the new store.”

Lidl, which was crowned ‘Best Supermarket 2016’ by readers of Good Housekeeping magazine, has experienced continued growth over recent years.

The Paisley development would add to Lidl’s existing store portfolio of 650 and form part of the company’s growth plans, which aim to see this increase to 1,500 stores in the future.

A Renfrewshire Council spokesman said: “A planning application for 1 Wallneuk Road is still under consideration.

"A decision will be made in due course by the council’s Planning and Property Policy Board, taking all factors into consideration.”