A TOWN could soon launch a shoppers' shuttle - with council taxpayers picking up the bill.

Stockton Borough Council is considering a plan to bus customers out to the shop of their choice following the closure of the Kwik Save store, behind Stockton High Street.

The shuttle service would continue while building work continued on a new town centre food shop, nearby.

"Stockton still has several other food stores, as well as the covered and open markets, of course,'' said Lionel Danby, project manager for Stockton council.

"But we recognise that many local people will continue to rely on visits to a food supermarket and might find transport difficult.

"So we're considering whether a shuttle bus could be run to another supermarket during the time the new store is under construction.

"Before we take any decision, we will canvas the people who use the Kwik Save store to see what alternatives they would like.''

A local market research firm has been hired to ask shoppers for their preferences, and a decision about hiring buses will be taken, based on those findings.

The daily frequency of the shuttle between the September closing date for Kwik Save and the opening of the new shop in February cannot yet be predicted, nor the cost revealed.

But the idea of a free bus service is defended by Stockton council, which says Kwik Save customers will find their choice of town centre food stores reduced until the new store is completed.

The name of the retailer who will operate a new supermarket, Lidl, will be officially announced in the next few days.

There is disappointment from the local authority that Kwik Save managers have decided that the new £43m Wellington Square redevelopment is not for them and are pulling out.

Mr Danby said: "We are delighted at the news that a food retailer is set to sign up to Wellington Square.

"As sitting tenants, Kwik-Save were offered first call on the site but passed up the opportunity.

"Even after the deadline, we had hoped they would stay in the town and we offered them several alternative sites. Fortunately, most of their staff will find employment elsewhere.''

The new food shop will cover 13,000 square feet. The total floor space for the whole mall is 187,000 square feet