Scenes outside the new Aldi store in Cumnock have been described as "pure carnage" following its official opening today [November 25].

The supermarket chain opened its doors to customers this morning at 8am, with Team GB Olympic Bobsleigh hero, Stuart Benson, cutting the all-important red ribbon alongside pupils from Lochnorris Primary School.

The Ayr Road store is the newest Aldi to open in and around Cumnock, and will be run by Store Manager, John Boyle, along with a team of 29 colleagues from the local community.

This afternoon, however, one shopper told the Chronicle that hoards of school pupils had gathered at the doors of the supermarket at the end of the school day, "blocking the entrances and making it difficult for other shoppers to enter".

The bystander, a senior pupil at Robert Burns Academy, said that staff "were struggling to cope".

They explained: "Many younger children were blocking the entrances making it difficult for other shoppers to enter.

"The staff only allowed a certain amount of children at a time and it was clear the staff were struggling to cope. My friend and I had to apologise on behalf of our younger school pupils.

"The shop was calmer although still quite busy when I got in but I don't doubt it was busier than I seen. Still an absolute mess of kids and could see older people struggling to get in the shop."

Commenting generally on today's opening, Mr Boyle said: “It’s been a wonderful morning here at the opening of Aldi Cumnock. It was lovely to welcome our new customers into store, and I look forward to meeting more of the community in the coming weeks."

Aldi has been contacted for comment regarding the incident.