THE exact opening date of Worcester's new flagship supermarket has been announced, we can reveal.

After months of anticipation and work, the city's new Waitrose store will open its doors in London Road on Thursday, June 30 from 8am, it has been confirmed.

The supermarket has begun its hunt for staff to fill around 120 vacant roles at its new £20 million store, which covers around 40,000 square feet and boats a car park which has a capacity of more than 280 vehicles.

It will replace the old Ebenezer Baylis print works site, which was part-demolished last year, before construction work got underway in full after March.

Worcester City Council awarded the store planning permission in July 2014, but faced opposition from a number of neighbours complained about the traffic congestion the store could potentially cause if shoppers flock to it.

The opening looks sure to gather much interest, after thousands of shoppers walked through the doors when Lidl first opened its newest store, also at 8am.

Around 10,000 people were on the hunt for bargains at the glass-fronted store, in Windermere Drive, back in February.