TRADERS are to meet with the leader of Darlington Borough Council in a bid to overcome fears that the £18m expansion of a nearby supermarket will put their futures in jeopardy.

Sainsbury's has announced it will begin work next year to create Darlington's biggest store in Victoria Road. It is expected to open later in 2012, when the national chain almost doubles the size of the current premises and builds a mezzanine-level restaurant, petrol station and decked car park.

The expansion, which will create 120 jobs, has proved controversial, with businesses voicing concerns the supermarket will take business away from the nearby town centre, particularly as the shop will be stocking more clothes and white goods.

Robin Blair, whose family has a run greengrocers stall in the covered market for 130 years, said he was worried the larger store would force small businesses to close.

"Independent traders are being pushed out," he said. "Supermarkets are good, but there should be room everyone in this world.

"Independent traders provide a high standard of knowledge, expertise and customer service. It is important to preserve a level of independent traders like those in the markets for future generations.

"It would be a very sad day to have Darlington without a covered market."

Darlington Borough Council leader, Bill Dixon, said he was to meet with independent traders in the next few weeks to discuss the best way to help them work with the expanded supermarket to increase trade for all.

"There was strong opposition to this, but the reality is, it is happening. What we need to do now is help the council to help to move this on," he said.

"Sainsbury's will bring some trade, so we need to find a way of encouraging these customers to cross the ringroad and visit the town centre.

"We want to see Sainsbury's become part of the family of traders in town. Anything which brings jobs to Darlington has got to be welcomed."

The supermarket, which is close to Darlington town centre, will also get a refurbishment, while vehicle access will be altered.

The shop will stay open throughout the work, and the national supermarket chain is hoping to minimise disruption as much as possible.

Plans for the expansion were granted by a planning inspector in May this year, after Sainsbury's appealed the Borough Council's initial decision to refuse the extension proposal.

A spokeswoman for Sainsbury's said: "Construction of the store extension is due to begin early next year and would be open later in the same year.

"The store would stay open and Sainsbury's would look to minimise any disruption to customers and the community. Recruitment usually begins around three months before the works are due to be complete."