FAMOUS Mexican fast food chain Taco Bell has chosen to open its first ever restaurant in the UK in Thurrock - at the Lakeside Shopping Centre.

Food lovers will be able to tuck into burritos, quesadillas, and nachos galore once the venue opens at the shopping complex at the end of June.

The move by the firm, which is a market leader in Mexican style food in the US, will create 40 new jobs.

The chain is one of the most profitable businesses in the US and is part of Yum! brand - the world’s largest restaurant company.

Over the past few years, the company has expanded Taco Bell beyond North America and into Europe with restaurants in Spain and Cyprus, as well as launching in India and Dubai.

However this is the first time it will have come to British shores.

Nick Dawson, General Manager, Taco Bell UK & Europe, said: “The UK is a very important market for Taco Bell. This is a major step in our international expansion, and Lakeside is just the start of our exciting plans in this country.

“There’s a gap in the quick service market for a fresh new concept like ours, and I’m confident that our wide range of exciting new menu items at unbeatable prices will prove very popular over here.”

The company plans to open other Taco Bell restaurants across the UK later in the year.