Cut-price supermarket Lidl has revealed plans to open dozens of new stores including across north Herts as part of an expansion project intended to create 2,000 jobs across the country.

The German discount giant announced the openings as part of a drive to reach 1,000 stores by 2022.

Nub News can confirm that they are eyeing possible sites in Hitchin and Letchworth as part of their programme.

Christian Härtnagel, at Lidl GB said: "We are calling on developers and landlords up and down the country to help find potential sites for us to build Lidl stores, which demonstrates the continued ambition we have to further expand our store portfolio across the nation.

"Despite the challenges of the past year, we still managed to meet our ambitious target of opening, on average, one new store per week across Great Britain."

The news comes as the large discounter published its annual list of desired locations - a 'wish list' of sites it is interested in acquiring.

Aldi said £1.3bn will be invested into the project, which includes opening 50 new stores over the next 12 months.

All new stores will also feature solar panels and electric vehicle charging points, a Lidl spokesman explained.

The list features more than 1,000 areas where it is hoping to secure rent deals with landlords - but the main focus for the initial 50 openings is town centres, edge of city centres, retail parks and metropolitan locations.