MARKS and Spencer has invested further in the region, pledging £2.5m to bring another of its firsts to the North-East.

The company announced yesterday it was to spend the money as work began on its new food hall, at the MetroCentre, Gateshead, which will be the first of its kind for the retailer.

The development of the new food hall concept brings the total spent on the store at the MetroCentre during the past year to almost £6m, following a £3.4m investment in a new look at the end of last year.

The 25,000sq ft food hall is being revamped to create an improved shopping environment.

In addition to better lighting, wider aisles, new decor and flooring, new access points will give the food hall the appearance of a shop within a shop.

Richard Buckland, store manager of Marks and Spencer Metro, said: "Customers can look forward to purchasing all their food shopping under one roof and enjoying a total shopping experience at the Metro Food Hall."

Shoppers will be able to take advantage of a bigger range of foods, an improved bakery and a new plants and flowers shop.

As well as that, there will be new produce counters and free standing frozen units.

Tills are being relocated and shoppers who wish to pop in and buy a quick snack will be able to pay at a "food to go" till point.

Mr Buckland said: "The refurbishment of the store at the end of last year was a direct response to our customers' views and has been very well received by them.

"Although work is ongoing at the moment, it is business as usual, as much of the improvement works are being undertaken in stages, to ensure minimum disruption to customers."

Last month, the company announced it was to open the first of a new chain of home furnishing superstores in the region, at the MetroCentre.

That move is expected to create more than 100 jobs in the region when it opens in about 18 months time to go head to head with Ikea.

It is understood that Marks and Spencer paid £20m for the site, and the new store, also the first of its kind for the group, will sell everything from furniture and ornaments to carpets.