The new warehouse will be the biggest of Lidl's UK distribution centres and will supply goods to stores in and around the M25.

Lidl
Image: Lidl has more than 690 stores across the UK

Supermarket chain Lidl has announced plans to build a new depot in Luton, creating up to 1,000 new jobs in the process.

The warehouse, the company's 16th distribution centre in the UK, forms part of the firm's £1.45bn investment programme in Britain for 2017-18.

The new distribution centre will be the largest of Lidl's warehouses in the UK, covering 234,700 square metres.

It will manage the supply and distribution of food and other products to stores in and around the M25.

It comes amid Lidl's plans to also open five new London stores, in Shepherds Bush, Walthamstow Central, South Ruislip, Hornchurch and Rosehill, during the next two months.

Lidl, which is based in Germany, has more than 690 stores in the UK.

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It is the latest sign that international companies have not been put off investing in the UK following the Brexit vote, despite warnings from pro-EU campaigners that businesses would be wary of increasing their presence in Britain while its position in Europe is uncertain.

Ingo Fischer, Lidl's board director for expansion and development in the UK, said: "We are committed to the continued investment in our operations and infrastructure to support our growth."

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