DISCOUNT supermarket Aldi is creating hundreds of jobs in 65 new stores.

The firm says it will continue its expansion after revealing UK sales were 36 per cent higher than last year at £5.3bn.

Pre-tax profits increased 65 per cent to a record £260.9m.

The company already operates 530 outlets in the UK, including stores in Darlington, Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire, and Newton Aycliffe, Spennymoor and Consett, County Durham.

Bosses say the openings will keep it on track to operate 1,000 branches by 2022, however, they told The Northern Echo it was too early to say where the 65 new stores will be based.

Matthew Barnes, managing director, said it also expects to have more than 7,000 new workers in 2014, including 500 apprentices and 160 graduates.

He added: "We're investing more than £600m over the next two years to support our growth, which means we can grow while always giving customers the service and quality they expect."