A MASSIVE new shopping development is on target for completion next month.

Eighteen of the 23 shops in a shopping mall anchored on a giant Morrisons supermarket at Redcar are either already pre-let or under offer to a variety of national multiple retailers.

Viewing windows allowing people to take a peek at progress on the cordoned-off Regent Walk site were opened at the weekend by Dr John Bridge, chairman of One North East, one of the partners in the scheme.

He said: "The agency is investing £9.5m in the Regent Walk development which has a vitally important part to play in the revival of Tees Valley.

"It will bring new jobs and improved shopping facilities to the area.''

Paul Oliver, chief executive of the Teesland Group, joint developers with Sir Robert McAlpine, confirmed work was on target for completion in October.

The scheme began controversially with the bulldozing of scores of houses, shops, a pub and three places of worship.

Coun David Walsh, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, said: "I'm pleased to see this stage of the development being reached.

"We can now physically demonstrate to local people that work is under way in building a first-class shopping centre, something that will go hand-in-hand with other exciting developments now under way in Redcar and in the wider borough.''