A HISTORIC shop in Barnard Castle will move premises in the coming weeks.

William Peat butchers and bakers is to move from its location on Galgate to two new shops in the centre of the town, on Horsemarket.

The firm, which employs more than 20 people in Barnard Castle, has occupied the shop for almost 100 years.

It already owns Marden Farm Shop in town and recently bought a vacant shop two doors down.

Marden Farm Shop will be used to sell Peat's bakery and delicatessen products, while the other store will be fitted out with new butchery equipment and used to sell meat products.

Manager Sandy Dempster said: "I think it will benefit us and the customers more if we're in a more central location and have a more compact shop.

"It'll be sad for me, because I'm the only one that has always worked here, but you have to move with the times and I'm looking forward to it."