A supermarket could be built in place of an empty filling station in a Weardale village if plans are approved this week.

Leathleys Quality Fare Limited hopes to create a shop on the site of the former A68 Services in High Street, Tow Law.

The store and parking spaces for 32 cars would replace the run-down petrol station complex.

If given the go-ahead, the firm, from Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, expects to create the equivalent of 12 full-time jobs at the store.

Philip Horsfield, commercial manager, said: "We have outlets all over the North-East, specialising in supplying rural areas, but this would be one of the most remote.

"We would stock fresh food, newspapers and, if granted permission, the store could be a National Lottery outlet and possibly sell hot food."

People living in the area have raised concerns about the development. They are mainly concerned about its impact on road safety.

Neighbours are also worried that youths might congregate outside the shop and about noise from customers and deliveries.

Durham County Council's highways department has no objections to the proposals, although it has suggested slight changes to access routes.

Planning officers at Wear Valley District Council have recommended that members of the development control committee, which meets at Crook Civic Centre tonight, approve the application.

They feel the 6,500sq ft store would not be overly prominent and would improve the look of the garage, which has fallen into a state of disrepair.

The application site is within the development limits of Tow Law and has been set aside for retail in the Wear Valley District Local Plan.

Officers have said planning permission should include a series of conditions. These include the building materials to be used, maintenance of the car park, details of signage and the colour of external fittings.

Other conditions relating to controlled waters aim to prevent pollution and protect the environment.