SHOPPERS and traders must endure a further wait to discover when a supermarket will open in a run-down shopping precinct.

People in Eston, near Middlesbrough, have been waiting three years for supermarket chain Aldi to redevelop much of Eston Square, where shopkeepers have endured vandalism, arson attacks and break-ins.

In 2002, a town centre redevelopment plan was approved by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

As part of the proposal, 20 units in the High Street were identified for demolition to make way for Aldi.

When nothing happened, more than 1,800 people signed a petition last December demanding answers from the company.

A meeting was held between the council and the retail company on Thursday but, although cabinet leader Councillor Eric Empson said there was no doubt that the Aldi store would go ahead, he was unable to say when it would be built.

He said: "The problem is there are so many other properties involved in that precinct, which Aldi have to reach agreement with and get names on paper to sign up to the development.

"More than half the properties have already agreed terms, but we don't want to talk about a timescale.

"Aldi, quite naturally, don't want to raise people's hopes and aspirations.

"I came away from the meeting very confident and much more optimistic that it will happen, and I would hope to see something by the end of the year.

"We don't want a centre like Eston precinct standing and deteriorating."

Councillor Ann Higgins, chairman of Eston Residents' Association, who helped organise the petition, said: "I am pleased that the petition brought Aldi round the table for discussions but I think I speak for the community when I say how disappointed I am that no timescale has been given.

"This is a very urgent situation. The traders and community have suffered long enough.

"I hope Aldi will fulfil its promise and that something really does happen this year."