THE major upgrade and refit of the Tesco superstore in Thirsk is now nearing completion.

The store is being doubled in size and work on the upgrade in now in its final phase, with the official opening due on October 1.

However, because of the scale of the work still to be carried out the store will be closed for three weeks from September 8.

Manager Ian Backhouse said: "We appreciate the temporary closure of the store for a three week period is not an ideal situation and we have looked at every option to try and avoid this.

"However, our experience of past refits has shown that a total store closure is often less frustrating for our customers than an on-going building programme that means products are constantly moving around the store for up to 15 weeks while the refit work takes place."

During the closure a free bus service will be provided by Tesco seven times a day and twice on Sundays to their store at Northallerton.

When it re-opens, the new-look Thirsk store will have a number of new departments - a move which has created 100 new jobs for the town.