A MAJOR discount supermarket has revealed plans to expand across the Solent area with nine new stores.

Supermarket retailer Lidl plans to double its portfolio and continue its “phenomenal growth”.

The German chain is now looking for “great quality locations” to open new stores.

Lidl has revealed locations where it is particularly interested in opening its supermarkets.

In Southampton, it hopes to open stores in Bassett, Bitterne and Portswood, while relocating its stores in Totton and Townhill.

In the borough of Eastleigh it plans stores for Chandlers Ford, Hedge End.

Further afield its has its sights on locations in Romsey, Lymington, and in Winchester it has earmarked sites in the town centre and at Badgers Farm.

Despite the company’s plans to expand it has not given details of any specific sites.

A spokesperson for Lidl said: “As part of ongoing national expansion plans, our dedicated property teams are working hard to identify suitable locations across England, Scotland and Wales.

"This is for both new stores where there is demand for a Lidl, and existing stores that we would like to remodel for customers, which may require a relocation to do so.

"We would encourage any landowners or agents who may be aware of suitable sites, to get in touch with our property teams to discuss.”

Leader of Eastleigh Borough Council, Keith House said: “Lidl and Aldi are incredibly popular with local people and help force other stores to lower their prices, which is good news for shoppers. It’s good to learn of Lidl wanting to expand in Eastleigh Borough.”

As previously reported a new Lidl store will open at the former H.A Fox Jaguar and Hunters Land Rover site at the junction of Bassett Avenue and Banister Road.

The store will become the fifth Lidl in the city however, residents have raised concerns over the impact the new supermarket would have on air pollution and traffic.