SPEND a little...queue a lot! Hundreds of over-eager shoppers started queuing at the doors of the new Aldi in Pitsea from 2am!

Six hours later they streamed in to grab a bargain. Prizes were given away to the first 100 customers, many of whom had queued from the early hours, including TVs, sat navs, and tablet computers.

Lucky Nick Wood from Basildon was first in – and took home a free TV.

Kelly-Ann Pacey, 21, of Pitsea, was ninth in line.

She said: “I was one of those people that got there at 2am, but it was worth it because it started getting packed as the hours passed.

I got a free sat nav that will come in handy when I start my driving lessons!”

Other lucky shoppers were treated to bacon rolls.

The new store, in Northlands Pavement, replaces the existing Aldi on Rectory Park Drive, which first opened in July 2000. The new one was officially opened by the Mayor of Basildon, Mo Larkin.

It has created 15 new jobs locally.

Jacqui Hunt, Aldi manager, said: “My team and I have very much enjoyed welcoming our new customers to the store. The turnout for the day was fantastic, with 100 people walking away with a prize.

“We hope the shoppers enjoyed our celebrations and I would like to thank everyone for their support.”

Crowds of customers always welcome big name stores to Basildon.

In May, hundreds of people waited outside the new Next, at Mayflower Retail Park, for the doors to open.

Another Aldi is soon coming to south Essex.

It is being built on the site of the old Focus DIY store, in Rushbottom Lane, at the Tarpots junction, in Benfleet.