German retailer Lidl is to make a "multi-million pound" investment in 35-50 new UK stores this year.

The discount retailer said today (16 January) the investment, which will expand its portfolio from the current 600 UK store count, is expected to create around 1,000 jobs across England, Scotland and Wales.

"We're looking forward to bringing our stores to more towns and cities around the country and are encouraged by the recent sales results demonstrating that Lidl has become more and more relevant to British consumers today," said Lidl spokesperson Georgina O'Donnell.

According to figures from Kantar Worldpanel, Lidl's UK market share in December increased from 2.6% in the prior year to 2.8%, with overall sales increases reported at around 11%.