Planning consent was granted earlier this month by Midlothian Council for a store with 77 free parking spaces.

The new store will create between 10 and 12 job opportunities in retail. Construction is due to start in the autumn with completion expected in spring next year.

ALDI property director Andrew Craig said: "We are very pleased that our planning application to bring a store to Penicuik has been successful.

"We look forward to being able to offer local customers the opportunity to buy from our range of products and experience the quality and value we promise at ALDI."

Internationally, ALDI has built up a network of more than 5,000 stores across Europe, USA and Australia over the past 50 years with 372 stores in UK and Ireland.

The company began investment in Scotland two years ago by opening a £20 million head office and distribution centre in Bathgate.

ALDI currently has 36 stores in Scotland, employing some 400 people, and aims to open approximately 10 stores a year in the next 10 to 15 years, amounting to a £200m investment throughout Scotland.