A £43m shopping centre in Stockton is expected to be trading by the end of April.

Work on the main area, from Dovecot Street to Wellington Street, is under way and the old Co-op building has been cleared, so the last phase can go ahead.

A Lidl supermarket is expected to open in April, to coincide with a KFC restaurant.

Stockton councillor Bob Cook said: "The work is going very well and we are expecting the whole of development to be open in time for Christmas 2001."

Work on the Debenham's extension and refurbishment will be finished in time for the opening of the main centre, and Marks and Spencer and Littlewoods have finished their renovations, to allow access from the High Street to Wellington Square.

The car park, which opened in November for Christmas shoppers, will close again on Sunday, to let workers add the finishing touches.

Access to the car park will be from the new inner Stockton relief road, at the junction of Wellington Street, Leeds Street and Nelson Street. The finished 875-space car park was due to open at Christmas, but was delayed because of equipment delivery.

Coun Cook said: "We worked very closely with Wellington Square Development Company and the contractor, HBG Construction Ltd, to offer the extra spaces over Christmas.

"But now, they need to press on with the remaining works, and they need access to the lower floor ro complete the car park.

"We expect the car park to open fully in late April."