Supermarket giant Lidl has revealed that it wants to open new stores in three Ayrshire towns. 

The German company has published a list of new locations where it wants to open up as part of a country-wide expansion. 

The supermarket has revealed it is currently targeting new stores in the south of Ayr and Irvine, and is looking to relocate its current Kilmarnock premises. 

Lidl currently has stores in Dalry, Stevenston and in the north of Ayr, as well as its existing store in Kilmarnock.

The company says it wants to open 52 new stores in Scotland and relocate a further 15.

Richard Taylor, Lidl GB chief development officer, said: “Having fortified our infrastructure with significant investments like Luton, which is the largest warehouse in the Lidl world, we're proud to have achieved record market share this month.

"We have also been the fastest growing bricks and mortar supermarket for the past seven months in a row.

"With an exceptional store network and our laser focus on operational excellence, we’re welcoming more customers through our doors than ever before, which positions us perfectly for continued expansion."

Should a site be successfully identified, the company will pay a finders’ fee of either 1.5 per cent of the total freehold purchase price, or 10 per cent of the first year’s rent for leaseholds, which would equate to £22,500 for a completed £1.5m site purchase. 

The firm says it is specifically looking for sites in prominent locations with easy access and strong pedestrian or traffic flow, with 1.5+ acres for a standalone store and up to four acres for mixed-use schemes.

Sites should allow for unit sizes between 18,000 and 26,500 square feet, and and should have room for at least 100 dedicated car parking spaces.