The UK's biggest pet retailer is planning to open at least 40 new stores across the UK.

Pets at Home, which has stores in Gloucester, Cirencester and Cheltenham, already has almost 460 shops, as reported by the BBC.

The retailer said it was particularly interested in opening in more urban areas like London.

Pets at Home said more people working at home meant they were buying pets at a younger age and the opportunity provided by Generation X was there for the taking.

The chain has just reported record annual profits - pre-tax profits were up 4.8% to £136.4m for the year to March 31. Sales increased 6.6% to £1.4bn for the year.

The record performance was achieve despite higher wages and soaring energy costs. While Pets at Home has increased prices, it said it hasn't passed on all the cost pressures to customers.

The retailer said the boom in pet ownership seen during the pandemic has showed few signs of easing, despite the pressures of the cost-of-living crisis.