A well-known discount retailer is set to increase wages for its workers in the region as part of a company-wide pay pledge.

Aldi store assistants and deputy store managers in County Durham are on track to receive a pay rise to the tune of an extra 40p an hour from June 1.

Currently, the workers are paid £12 an hour following an increase in February - which is the highest rate in County Durham for supermarkets.

Giles Hurley, chief executive Officer of Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “We firmly believe that our colleagues are the best in the business, so it is only right that they remain the best-paid and we are committed to never being beaten on pay by any other supermarket.

“Our store operations colleagues play an integral part in our ever-increasing popularity among shoppers and our continued investment in their pay is another way to thank them for the role they play in making Aldi what it is today.”

This comes in the same week that Aldi submitted plans for two new stores in the region - in Houghton-le-Spring and Hetton.

Plans have been submitted with a range of supporting documents outlining the future benefits of a discount foodstore at the site.

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This includes “creating active use and new jobs” and “broadening the range of food retail facilities and improving choice for nearby residents”.

The design and access statement adds: “It is considered the proposed use, amount of development, layout, scale and appearance are acceptable in design terms and the proposals will deliver a modern, contemporary design which will improve the visual appearance of the site and the surrounding area.” 

Increases by rivals including Tesco, Asda and Marks & Spencer have also been announced in recent weeks, ahead of the rise in the national minimum wage in April.