ASDA yesterday confirmed the locations of the new jewellery, photo and optical departments it plans to open before the end of the year, with some in the North-East.

With 80 pharmacies, 41 photo centres, 41 opticians and 35 jewellery departments already open, Asda will have over 300 'speciality' units by the end of the year.

These include new supermarket jewellery departments in Benton, Gosforth, Hartlepool, Stanley, Stockton and Washington, bringing the total to over 100 UK wide.

There will also be a new optical shop at Bishop Auckland and Hartlepool.