DISCOUNT supermarket chain Aldi is continuing its ambitious expansion efforts across Dorset. 

The German supermarket is looking to invest more than £7million in new stores across Dorset. 

They are currently looking for new sites in 13 different locations across the county including Bridport, Christchurch and Weymouth. 

Famous for their special-buys and middle isle deals, the supermarket chain hopes to open more than 100 stores this year.

They are hoping to out-do their competitors with plans to expand into every major town and region across the UK.

Aldi are also hoping to open two new stores in Poole by the end of the year - creating 60 jobs. 

The two new stores are at Fleets Lane, Poole, and Blandford Road North, Upton, Poole.

READ MORE: Where Lidl wants to open new stores in Dorset

READ MORE: Two new Poole Aldi stores will create 60 new jobs

Giles Hurley, chief executive officer at Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “This investment in Aldi stores over the course of this year will help make the UK’s lowest-priced supermarket more accessible to even more people, and bring us closer to our long-term goal of having 1,200 stores across the UK by 2025.”

The supermarket is set to open more than one new store a week in the UK this year. 

The chain has recently been in the headlines after it announced it would increase its national minimum hourly pay rate for store employees from £9.40 to £9.55, as of 1 February.

They are hoping to expand their operations into the following locations: 

Axminster

Christchurch

Blandford

Bridport

Ferndown

Shaftesbury

Sherbourne

Sturminster Newton

Swanage

Verwood

Wareham

Weymouth

Wimborne

A spokesperson for the supermarket said: "Aldi is also investing £500m in new and upgraded stores, distribution centres and its supply chain in 2021, which will create over 4,000 jobs as well as new opportunities for British food and drink producers."