A CLOTHING store is to close to make way for a supermarket.

Staff at Dunnes Stores, in Billingham, Teesside, had their worst fears confirmed on Friday with the news that the store will shut, possibly before the end of next month.

Rumours have been circulating for months since supermarket chain Tesco was given planning permission to trade from the site in Leeholme Road

A member of staff told The Northern Echo yesterday: "We're all really depressed. There was an announcement and we were told it will shut at the end of July."

Store manager Ian Marsden said: "I can confirm the store will be closing but I can't give an actual date or say what will become of the site."

The news came the day after Stockton Borough Council announced it was putting plans to regenerate the town centre on hold. The multi-million pound proposalso included a plan to sell off the Forum theatre site to a supermarket chain and use the money to develop the rest of the town centre.

Dunnes Stores has operated from Leeholme Road since 1986, originally selling food and clothes.

In 1996, the food hall closed with the loss of 80 jobs.

Bosses at the store have refused to comment on how many jobs will be lost.