HUNDREDS of Highworth residents voiced their views on the possible construction of a new Aldi in the town at a public exhibition on Thursday.

The town council's community room was abuzz with discussions about the plans with more than 220 locals popping in to have a look and calmly complement or loudly complain to representatives from the supermarket chain.

Hundreds of comment cards were sent out to local addresses prior to the exhibition and piles of feedback forms were placed around the room for visitors to fill in.

Around 700 cards and feedback forms were completed and returned in total, with 90 per cent of the responses being positive, according to the retailer.

Mike Mulford was one of the many in favour of the new supermarket.

He said: "I think it's brilliant, the sooner it's here the better. It would be a vast improvement on what we already have."

Joanne Shoesmith visited the exhibition with her 16-year-old son Jack.

She said: "I think it will be absolutely brilliant, it would give the Co-op a bit of competition give me a choice of where I can go shopping, and create job opportunities."

Jack said: "I reckon it's a good idea because people who shop at Aldi shouldn't have to go all the way to Swindon for it."

A planning application for the new store north of the Blackworth Industrial Estate will be submitted around mid-July after concerns raised during the exhibition are taken into consideration.

However, it may be tricky for Aldi to please everyone in Highworth.

Jan and Terry Wicks were vehemently against the plans.

Jan said: "Highworth doesn't need to be taken over by Aldi, it'll ruin the Co-op and kill this town.

"We don't want an Aldi stuck on the edge of it, leave our little town alone."

Patricia and Dan Maskell have lived there for 50 years and were not too happy with Aldi's proposed plans.

Patricia said: "I think it's diabolical, we don't need one here, we've already lost two banks so that's reduced the amount of people coming into the high street and there'll be less again if this opens."

Others had no issue with the new Aldi but worried that this would set a precedent for excessive expansion along the town's edges.

Sarah Olner is a member of the Highworth Community Partnership Group. She said: "Personally, I think the main concern is about building beyond Highworth's northern line.

"Once you build a retail unit and then the new STFC training ground and houses, at what point do you stop the developments running away?"

George Beard helped organise the consultation.

He said: "A recent independent survey commissioned by Aldi has shown that there is a significant outflow of trips from residents of Highworth to shops in Swindon and the wider area.

"The application hasn’t yet been submitted for consideration to Swindon Borough Council so we’re keen to receive as much feedback as possible before we finalise the plans."

Regional Property Director for Aldi Rob Jones said: “We are delighted with how many residents attended the exhibition and are encouraged by the overwhelming support received so far."

For more information about the project, visit aldiconsultation.co.uk/highworth or call their freephone information line on 0800 298 7040.