CHINESE takeaway chain Hotcha has lofty goals - and is aiming for further expansion after opening its first Weston branch this week.

The seven-strong restaurant chain was founded in Bristol just over a year ago and is headed by businessman James Liang.

The new store in Regent Street will open seven days a week, and orders can be made over the phone, online - or even via Hotcha’s iPhone app.

James said: “These are exciting times for Hotcha and we have some really ambitious growth plans, aiming to be the number one takeaway chain in the UK in the next few years.”

Hotcha employs more than 40 people in the South West, and the new openings – which includes a further two new stores in the area - will create another 130 jobs.