A BETTING shop turf war will step up a gear next week when one of the premises goes under the hammer.

Bookmaker William Hill was granted permission to move into new premises in Bishop Auckland town centre last month - part of a block for on sale at auction.

The national chain is looking to turn its fortune around by moving to Newgate Street.

The company ditched its existing shop in the town, which was run at a £25,000 loss last year.

Meanwhile, magistrates granted bookmaking rival Betfred permission to move into the former Wager Turner Solicitors building in April.

This will leave three betting shops yards away from each other in Newgate Street, as well as two more nearby.

William Hill and Ladbrokes tried to block Betfred moving in, with the former claiming there was not the market for another betting shop in Bishop Auckland.

Ladbrokes already has a shop yards away.

The premises at auction next week is undergoing a revamp.

The property, at 168 to 170 Newgate Street, has a ground floor retail unit taht is being let to William Hill, while the upper floor has planning permission for conversion to three one-bedroomed flats.

Bidding for the property will start at £320,000 at the auction in Leeds on Tuesday.

A spokesperson from Wear Valley District Council's planning department said: "Planning permission was granted to turn the downstairs of the property into a type two conversion, which means it is now suitable for a business such as William Hill."

Matthew Emerson, senior surveyor at Allsop said: "We have had quite a lot of interest in this property from investors from all over the country. It is a unique double investment that would give the buyer a lot of security."

A lease has been agreed for the ground floor with William Hill for ten years at £15,000 rent a year.

William Hill is due to open at the end of this month.

The auction is being held at noon at The Queen's Hotel, City Square, in Leeds next Tuesday.