Twenty-three new jobs have been created with the opening of a new service station in Aylsham.

And it means hard-pressed motorists no longer have to drive outwith town to refuel.

The new BP filling station and M&S Simply Food store, next to the new roundabout on Burgh Road, welcomes their first customers today (Wednesday, July 26).

They were built on the site of the former Aylsham Bathroom and Kitchen Centre, which was destroyed by fire five years ago.

The near £2 million construction project, which includes a toilet accessible to disabled people as well as a baby changing-room, has been welcomed by the local community.

David Harrison, who represents Aylsham on Broadland District Council and Norfolk County Council, said: 'This will be a huge boost for the area. The improvements brought about with an amenity like this will improve the quality of life for Aylsham residents.

'This will be especially good for the young workforce as this will provide a huge boost to the area. There's not a huge amount of business in Aylsham so it'll be good for the local economy too.'

With no service station previously, motorists had been forced to travel to Norwich - a 24-mile round-trip away - or north to Alby - a 10 mile round-trip - to fill up.

Speaking when the plans were first announced, Aylsham Town Clerk Sue Lake said: 'The town council has often been approached by residents complaining at the lack of a petrol station in the town.'

Motorists had to endure three months of disruption while work on the new service station and roundabout was completed.

Norfolk County Council replaced the crossroads at the junction of the A140 bypass and the town's Burgh Road in a drive to improve road safety. A new shared footway has also been constructed.

BP district manager Andrew Kenney said: 'The new store and introduction of the M&S Simply Food range means we have been able to create 23 new jobs for people in the local area. It'll be open late providing customers with a selected range of Marks & Spencer's high quality fresh, innovative food alongside the best of BP fuels and our very own Wild Bean Café.'

The first customers at the new service station will receive a range of discounts and a free 'bag for life'.