THE boom in the low cost shopping sector is bringing 200 jobs to the region.

Big W, the new retail development arm of Woolworths, will open its discount store to the public in Stockton on October 13.

The group aims to build on the success of its four other stores in the UK, and will invest £7m on the new Portrack Lane development.

Plans for another store in Newcastle have been put on hold for another 12 months.

Store manager at Stockton, Nigel Driver, said: "Our approach to retailing has low prices at its core, which is supported by a buying strategy that enables Big W to pass on big savings directly to our customer on a massive range of everyday items."

The new 100,000 sq ft of retail space will sell more than 53,000 product lines drawn from other retailers within the Kingfisher Group, including Woolworths, B&Q, Comet and Superdrug as well as Peacocks, the clothing company.

The first Big W store was launched in Edinburgh in June 1999 to trial the concept and gauge customer reaction.

The store attracted 30,000 shoppers in its first three days of trading and since then its further three stores have had customer numbers exceeding targets by 15 per cent.

Mr Driver added: "We are 100 per cent committed to lowering the cost of living for our customers.

"Market research shows that shoppers are impressed by the huge discounts on quality goods, the wide variety of choice, and the spaciousness and wide aisles that the stores provide."

The aim of the new store is to offer "a clear promise of reducing the cost of living for the people of Stockton".

l North-East retailer Storey Carpets also announced plans to open eight new stores over the next 12 months, creating 50 jobs.

The £1.5m expansion plan will see the firm targeting key locations including Darlington and Durham, and will take the number of stores in the group to 28