A REVISED planning application for a Tesco supermarket in Newton Aycliffe is expected to be submitted soon.

It was announced last year that the company was seeking to build a 68,000 sq ft store as the centrepiece of a £25m town centre scheme.

Steve Barker, planning officer for Sedgefield Borough Council, said the detailed planning application was expected "any day now".

He said: "We had a detailed planning application submitted containing all the details of the proposals and we were about to register and determine it.

"Before we could do that, we received a request to put it on hold for a few weeks because the Tesco board wished to reconsider the design for their store.

"I'm led to believe they want to put more money and investment in than proposed, and I hope that is the case."

"The planning brief that the council prepared looked for a comprehensive redevelopment package and that's the message we stressed through the protracted discussions with the developer."

Manchester-based developer CTP bought the 16-acre Avenue Comprehensive School site from Durham County Council in 1999.

Along with the supermarket, there are plans for retail units, library, health centre and pub.