A MAJOR retailer has been given permission to build a DIY store and garden centre in Guisborough.

Councillors agreed to give Focus permission to build the store and a 113-space car park on land off Springwood Road, near the Belmont House offices.

The chain, which caused controversy by selling pets in its stores in recent years, has said it will not be selling animals at the new centre.

A spokesman for Focus declined to say when the store will be built or how many jobs it would create. The chain is currently in the process of changing its name to Wicks.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council planning committee granted permission at Eston Town Hall at a meeting on Wednesday.

The committee heard that Guisborough Town Council had concerns because the site was identified for office development not retailing. Town councillors also thought retail development outside the town centre could badly effect the viability of the centre.

However, a report from a planning officer said that the council and the Government sought to promote in-town development but accepted that it was not always possible to do so in historic centres like Guisborough.