SPORTING hero Jack Laugher returned to his home city to officially open a new supermarket.

The diver, who won a gold medal at the Rio Olympics, formally launched Ripon’s new Aldi on Stonebridgegate, which, following a six-month build, has created 35 new jobs.

He joined store manager Clare Vause for the launch and representatives from Ripon Community Link also attended to receive a £500 donation from the store towards their work in the community.

The store will be supporting a trio of local Christmas events in the coming weeks.

It has donated a range of festive products to the Spirit of Christmas Carol Concert which will be held at Ripon Cathedral on December 3, and has supported the Ripon Christmas Light Switch On by supplying novelty “Selfie Sheets” for people to enjoy while at the event.

The supermarket is also sponsoring the Thirsk Christmas Café and providing free food and drink for visitors at the event from November 25 to 27 at Thirsk town hall.