A FAMOUS pink lady visited Teesside yesterday to open Stockton's newest car park.

Barbie was the first visitor at the new Wellington Square car park, with her bright pink soft-top car.

The doll's lookalike, Ammie Willmott, drove up as the first of the shopping units - supermarket Lidl - opened yesterday. The entire £43m shopping centre is expected to be open by October.

Stockton borough councillor Bob Cook said: "We are delighted that the first elements of the Wellington Square shopping development are now open and are looking forward to the rest of the units opening later this year."

Access to and from the 800-space car park is from the Inner Stockton relief road at the junction of Wellington Street, Leeds Street and Nelson Terrace.

Work to the Debenham's extension and refurbishment have already started and will be ready in time for the opening of the main retail centre.

Marks and Spencer and Littlewoods have already completed renovations.