The site of a former school building has been levelled to make way for a new branch of a discount supermarket chain.

Lidl's expansion in Great Yarmouth continues as the development of a new larger store reached a major milestone.

The Trafalgar College building - once home to oil and gas company Perenco - on Thamesfield Way has been demolished.

During the planning stages, supermarket giant Tesco raised objections, stating issues with pedestrian access and the Lidl store's location possibly presenting "a threat to future town centre investment".

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The Trafalgar College building on Thamesfield Way has been demolished. Picture - NewsquestThe Trafalgar College building on Thamesfield Way has been demolished. Picture - Newsquest (Image: Archant Norfolk © 2016)In September, councillors gave the green light for the new Lidl shop, as well as the planned demolition of the current store on Pasteur Road once the new build is complete.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The site of the new Lidl supermarket on Thamesfield Way. Picture - Jonathan HowesThe site of the new Lidl supermarket on Thamesfield Way. Picture - Jonathan Howes (Image: Jonathan Howes)The new store will be a single-storey retail food shop of 11,787 square metres with a 136-space car park.

Lidl had previously offered a cash bounty for people in the town to find a suitable location for its new store. Two other sites were considered for the new location, vacant land at Lime Kiln Walk and vacant land east of Bunns Lane, Southtown.

The existing branch in Southtown will close before the new larger store opens.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The first UK Lidl supermarket opened in 1994. Picture - NewsquestThe first UK Lidl supermarket opened in 1994. Picture - Newsquest