LONG-awaited improvements to a prime Darlington town centre shop unit could soon be under way.

Developers will this week be given permission to extend the former Dressers site in Darlington.

The business left the High Row shop early last year and it has been boarded up since then, prompting speculation about its next occupant.

Terrace Hill, the Stockton development firm which took over the site, is understood to be holding discussions with fashion firm Next.

At the end of April, Darlington Borough Council received a planning application from Terrace Hill, asking for permission to build a three- storey extension and make internal alterations.

While Next already has two stores in the town centre, it is believed a move to High Row would allow the chain to combine operations on one site.

A council spokeswoman said: "We have completed extensive consultation and we are now in a position to issue approval."

She said the extension would add 500 square metres of floor space.

Terrace Hill bought the Darlington branch of Dressers and its Northallerton sister shop when the company closed its doors in April last year.