WH Smith has been named as the new occupant of a prominent town centre store.

The newsagent and stationery chain has taken over the former Mr Coleman and Mr Morris store, in Richmond Market Place.

The company's arrival has been welcomed by community leaders.

Town manager Colin Grant said: "Apparently there was a lot of interest in the site and they had to go out to tender for the lease, which bodes well for Richmond.

"They are a high-end, successful company. This is good news for the town."

Richmond councillor Stuart Parsons said: "It's good news that a big high street name is willing to come to Richmond, although it is a cautious welcome from me as I am concerned that the store will damage the good local shops that already exist in the town."

Philip Wicks, chairman of Richmond Business and Tourism Association, said: "As chairman of the business association, it is a positive development to have a high street brand coming into the town."

Rumours have been circulating about the identity of the occupant for several months.

A spokeswoman for WH Smith confirmed the company had taken over the premises.

A planning application has been submitted to Richmondshire District Council to change the shop front, and shopfitters began work at the site this week.

The company hopes the store will open in early October.

Mr Coleman and Mr Morris was founded in Richmond in 1980 when Woolworths moved to the other side of the Market Place.

David Morris and his brother-in-law, Mr Coleman, passed the business to Mr Morris' daughter, Carole Jackson, and her husband, David, of Leeds.

The couple declined to renew the lease on the store at the end of January after a drop in trade over the previous year.