Hundreds of shoppers queued up as Tesco's first new Jack's discount stores opened for business.

Eastern Daily Press: Customers shop in Tesco's new Jack's store in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, as it opens to the public for the first time. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA WireCustomers shop in Tesco's new Jack's store in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, as it opens to the public for the first time. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

The store in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, was unveiled on Wednesday and opened its doors to the public on Thursday alongside a second store in Immingham, north-east Lincolnshire.

Britain's biggest retailer launched the store format as it attempts to take the fight to German discounters Aldi and Lidl.

READ MORE: Where could Tesco open new Jack's stores in Norfolk?Shopper Delia Fernandez, 41, arrived at 3am to be first in line at the Chatteris store, which opened at 10am with a ribbon cutting and a shower of confetti.

'I wanted to see the different bargains that they've got and to have a good look,' she said.

Eastern Daily Press: Customers shop in Tesco's new Jack's store in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, as it opens to the public for the first time. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA WireCustomers shop in Tesco's new Jack's store in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, as it opens to the public for the first time. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

She said she usually shops at Aldi but could be persuaded to change, adding: 'Prices, it all depends on the price and quality of the product.'

Jeevan Gunaratnam, 48, who emerged with a trolley full of shopping, lives in London but decided to visit Jack's as he was in the area.

The medical sales worker said: 'I occasionally shop in some of the other German stores like Lidl and Aldi so I was curious as I was nearby and thought I would just have a look, and I was really impressed.

'I think prices are good, I think the whole package Tesco has put together for Jack's is really good and I think it will be a really good addition to the high street.'

Eastern Daily Press: Customers shop in Tesco's new Jack's store in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, as it opens to the public for the first time. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA WireCustomers shop in Tesco's new Jack's store in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, as it opens to the public for the first time. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

He said he usually shops at Tesco, Lidl and occasionally Waitrose, but added if he had a local Jack's store 'I think it would influence me to go and buy some things'.

'Obviously there's not the full range but I think for the stuff you need day-to-day it's got some really good lines,' he said.

Retired mechanic Mark Burton, 48, of Chatteris, said: 'It's more competition, bringing in better prices for the town.'

Up to 15 of the stores, named after Tesco founder Jack Cohen, will open over the next year.

Eastern Daily Press: Customers shop in Tesco's new Jack's store in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, as it opens to the public for the first time. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA WireCustomers shop in Tesco's new Jack's store in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, as it opens to the public for the first time. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

Most products will be Jack's own brand and the chain will have 2,600 lines.

Retired builder William McPherson, 72, of Chatteris, said: 'There's a good selection of goods there.'

He added prices were 'comparable with Aldi' and he liked the layout – 'there's plenty of room so you're not crammed up'.

The launch of Jack's is part of Tesco's centenary celebrations which will see the business mark 100 years in 2019.

Eastern Daily Press: Customers shop in Tesco's new Jack's store in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, as it opens to the public for the first time. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA WireCustomers shop in Tesco's new Jack's store in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, as it opens to the public for the first time. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

Jack Cohen founded Tesco 99 years ago in 1919.

Eastern Daily Press: Customers shop in Tesco's new Jack's store in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, as it opens to the public for the first time. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA Wire.Customers shop in Tesco's new Jack's store in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, as it opens to the public for the first time. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA Wire.

Eastern Daily Press: Delia Fernandez (centre front) who queued from 3am for the opening of Tesco's new Jack's store in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, as it opens to the public for the first time. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA Wire.Delia Fernandez (centre front) who queued from 3am for the opening of Tesco's new Jack's store in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, as it opens to the public for the first time. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA Wire.

Eastern Daily Press: People queuing for the opening of Tesco's new Jack's store in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, as it opens to the public for the first time. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA WirePeople queuing for the opening of Tesco's new Jack's store in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, as it opens to the public for the first time. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

Eastern Daily Press: Customers shop in Tesco's new Jack's store in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, as it opens to the public for the first time. Tesco has reported rises in half-year sales and profits. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA WireCustomers shop in Tesco's new Jack's store in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, as it opens to the public for the first time. Tesco has reported rises in half-year sales and profits. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

Eastern Daily Press: Customers shop in Tesco's new Jack's store in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, as it opens to the public for the first time. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA Wire.Customers shop in Tesco's new Jack's store in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, as it opens to the public for the first time. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA Wire.