WESTHOUGHTON is one step closer to its new Aldi after the closure of the nearby car park was approved.

The plan for the supermarket in Bolton Road received approval in March last year, which includes a new public car park that has to be built before the supermarket.

And following delays, the Department of Transport has formally approved the closure of Bolton Road car park and the dirt road at the rear of the library, which is where the new car park will be built.

Contracts have also been formally exchanged between Bolton Council and Aldi.

It is hoped the new store, which will provide about 40 jobs, will be open sometime in 2018.