A NUMBER of national multiple retailers are in talks with property developers over the site of one of the region's oldest businesses.

Dressers announced last month it had accepted an offer from property developer Terrace Hill for the company.

Last night, Robert Cansick, of Terrace Hill, confirmed: "I'm talking to a number of national multiple retailers."

Mr Cansick said he could be in a position to confirm the new occupants of the High Row store in Darlington within the next couple of weeks.

Dressers have been in the town for more than 150 years.

WH Smith has expressed an interest in the Northallerton store, which will close, along with the Darlington shop, on Match 31.

Although discount chain store TJ Hughes confirmed it was still interested in opening in Darlington, having looked at the former C&A premises, it said that the Dressers unit was not suitable.

"It's a town that we would like to have a store in, if we could find a suitable opportunity," said property director Richard Foggin