Work on Maryport’s new Lidl supermarket has been delayed but is expected to start before the end of the year.

It is understood that building what is planned to be the company’s largest store in the UK was stalled because of objections from Sport England.

The development of the store on existing playing fields on the Milltoft site, off Curzon Street, will involve re-siting some football pitches.

Sport England issued a holding objection on the scheme until they were satisfied that Lidl will replace the pitches to an equivalent or better quality before the development begins.

Allerdale Council has agreed to provide land for two pitches to be laid nearby.

Carni McCarron-Holmes, Allerdale councillor for Ewanrigg in Maryport and also a Cumbria county councillor, said: “Two pitches will be sited on a playing field in Ewanrigg that has been donated by Allerdale and work will start on the store at the turn of the year.

“I’m hoping it will be open by spring.

“I’m so excited about it. I’m hoping it will bring in people from Allonby, Dearham and outlying areas and hopefully they will come into town and reinvigorate it as well.”