BOLTON construction company Hargreaves has built a new supermarket in record time.

Using new techniques, the £2 million, 17,000sq ft Aldi project was completed in 26 weeks - six weeks earlier than it would have been using traditional building methods.

The structure for the Birkenhead store was created on the continent and brought to the site on a fleet of lorries.

The panels that form the exterior of the building and each weighing up to 20 tonnes were fitted in place.

They were then concreted around the floor and held together by 100ft trusses.

It is the first time Hargreaves has used the system and it meant customers have been able to use the store six weeks ahead of schedule.

Mick Moorhouse, of Hargreaves Contracting, in Raikes Lane, Bolton, said: "It was not possible to extend the existing store so Aldi acquired the site next door for us to create this new outlet.

"The building system employed is very impressive. It has halved the time spent on site and means that Aldi customers have a new store in a fraction of the time had we used traditional construction methods.

"We are currently involved in building nine Aldi stores all across the region but it is the first time we have used this method and I am certain it is the way forward."

During the site preparation, Hargreaves had to clear 2,500 cubic tonnes of Victorian waste which had been dumped in the 19th century.

Among the items was a bottle of Temperance Society ginger beer which Hargreaves handed to Aldi to mark the end of the construction.