A new supermarket will create 40 jobs.

Lidl held a public consultation on Monday about its plans for a store on a derelict industrial site off Station Road, Maldon.

It is due to submit a planning application to Maldon District Council next week.

Acquisitions manager Christian Barber said the company had considered moving to town for a long time after scrutinising the shopping habits of locals.

“Maldon has a suitable core population for Lidl,” he said.

“We want to work as close to the centre of town as we can and this site is the best for us.”

* Full story in tomorrow's Standard.