A new pretzel shop is set to welcome customers at a Romford shopping centre this weekend - with freebies to celebrate its launch.

Auntie Anne's will open its 37th UK store at the Liberty Shopping Centre on Saturday (August 31), and is set to give away free pretzels as part of its grand opening.

The launch day will start with a "Giant Pretzel Pulling Ceremony" at 10.45am, followed by the free pretzel giveaway between 11am and 1pm.

The American chain's mascot Mr Twisty will also make an appearance to meet and greet the first customers.

Tom Stobbart, centre manager at The Liberty, said: "We’re thrilled to welcome Auntie Anne’s Pretzels to The Liberty.

"This is a brand that perfectly aligns with our commitment to offering high-quality, diverse, and enjoyable experience for our visitors."

He added: "Auntie Anne’s brings a unique and delicious option to the centre and I’m confident it will quickly become a favourite among shoppers."

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The new Romford store will be the third Auntie Anne's to open in London since June, following recent launches in Walthamstow and Bexleyheath.

Auntie Anne's sells sweet and savoury pretzels, as well as cinnamon sticks and pretzel hot dogs.

It has seven more new shop openings planned this year across the UK and Ireland, including a second shop in Walthamstow, which is coming on September 7.

Max Burton, managing director of Auntie Anne’s UK and Ireland, said: "We are extremely proud to be in a phase of incredible growth with a vibrant updated look, world-class marketing campaigns, and a strategy to open 100 new stores by 2034."