Bosses at the supermarket say they are pleased with the success of the Spalding store, which has increased its sales by ten per cent compared to last year.

Graham Hetherington, Aldi regional managing director for the South East and East Anglia, said that the company will look at opening other stores in the area and hopes to expand its Spalding store.

He added: "Sales at Spalding have doubled since the store opened in 2000 and it has been a success for us.

"We are very happy with how we do in Lincolnshire and we are very lucky to be able to to source a lot of our produce from the area too."

Mr Hetherington said many middle class shoppers who did not traditionally shop in Aldi are now turning to it and he added that Aldi is trying to keep price increases to three per cent, below the rises experienced in the big supermarkets.

He said: "It's a very demanding time for consumers and the cost of living is going up very substantially with pressure on interest rates, food bills, the price of petrol, diesel and electricity. It all means people have less money to spend.

"What we are seeing is that more and more consumers are looking at what they're spending on groceries and are looking to retailers like Aldi."

Mr Hetherington said the Aldi Super Six, which promotes cheap fruit and vegetable lines, had proved a success and said that the firm had also boosted its reputation by winning awards for products such as its anti-wrinkle cream and wine.

He said: "Things are getting tighter and I think there will be two to three years of difficult times for the consumer where they will have to shop around. My advice is not to take my word for it but compare the prices and see for yourself that our prices are cheaper."