BUDGET food chain Netto is to create 25 jobs in the region.

The company will open a £3m store in Stockton - its second in the town - next summer.

Netto's store at Chandlers Wharf will not be affected by the opening of a branch in Maritime Road.

Claus W'deled, managing director at Netto UK, said: "The success of Netto in Stockton has prompted our decision to open a second store in the town.

"Here in Stockton, Netto is aiming to make the customer's money stretch further. We can do this thanks to a combination of cutting out overheads, which add to the cost of goods and our Europe-wide purchasing power. It means we can buy high quality grocery and non-food products at significant discounts, which we pass on to the customer.''