A NEW supermarket on the outskirts of Durham city is pledging to make the area a better place to live and work in.

Tesco was given planning permission earlier this year by Durham City Council to build a new store on the former Hugh Mackay carpet factory site in Rennys Lane, Dragonville.

The company told the council it wanted to help to improve the area. Next Thursday it will launch the Dragonville Partnership, which aims to use the opening of the store as a catalyst for regeneration.

A spokesman said: "The over-riding objective of the partnership is to make Dragonville a better place to live and work, and to help boost the profile of Dragonville for all the right reasons.''

Plans include a training programme for residents and work with the community to tackle social exclusion, long-term unemployment and urban decay.

Speakers at the launch, which will be held at Laurel Avenue Primary School, Sherburn Road, include Durham City Council leader Maurice Crathorne and Durham MP Gerry Steinberg