OLYMPIC gymnast Kristian Thomas said it was "a pleasure" to open Dudley's new Aldi store.

The Black Country born bronze medallist met fans at the Priory Road supermarket this morning. (Thursday).

Excitement was mounting ahead of the ribbon cutting ceremony, as 300 customers queued outside the new store, eager to get their hands on one of the 100 golden envelopes, containing a variety of prizes.

Kristian, who opened the store with help from pupils at Priory Primary School, said:"It was a fun morning seeing lots of people engage and have fun participating in the competitions Aldi had running.

"It was also a pleasure to be part of the store opening, especially with it being local to myself and my training venue at Earls Gymnastics Club in Halesowen, where I've trained since the age of five."

He also heaped praise on the discount supermarket chain, who sponsor Team GB, adding: "Their support for Team GB and an athletes nutritional demands have been second to none."

The store, which has been built on the site of the former King Arthur pub, has created 34 jobs.

Dudley North MP, Ian Austin, who helped organise a jobs fair and wrote to local residents encouraging them to apply for the positions at the store, said: “I used to enjoy going to the King Arthur but it had stood empty and derelict for years, nearby residents wanted it sorted out and I am delighted that this new store is now open, employing local people in an area of high unemployment and bringing a supermarket to an area that has long been without one."