A NEW department store could be created in Darlington after council chiefs approved an expansion of the town's main shopping centre.

Two vacant shops in the Cornmill Centre will be brought together and extra retail space created at the roof level.

The former Northern Electric and Sanity premises will be taken over by the development, with a big-name firm expected to move in.

Darlington Borough Council has given permission for the work, which will provide a further 458 sq metres of space in the centre.

The authority granted consent for the development under delegated powers, as the matter did not need to go before its planning committee.

The two empty shops will be knocked together, to allow for the lower floor and a newly-created upper level to be used.

Cornmill Centre manager Susan Young said: "There has been interest in the units from a particular possible tenant, but nothing has been signed and sealed yet.

"Nothing is confirmed at the minute, but planning permission has only just recently been granted."

Council leaders welcomed the development, saying it was good news for the prosperity of the town centre.

David Lyonette, cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: "As work on Darlington's pedestrian heart project is about to begin, the news of any store expanding in the Cornmill Centre has to be welcomed.

"The Cornmill Centre is a major attraction to Darlington shoppers, so any development that increases the vitality of the town centre's biggest shopping mall is good news for town centre businesses."

Meanwhile, work is continuing on a £6.5m scheme to redevelop the nearby Crown Street car park.

A 410-space multi-storey car park will be created on the site, together with a TK Maxx department store.

About 31,000 sq ft of retail space is being created for the store and the car park is due to re-open in December.

London-based Discovery Properties is also working on the new £90m Commercial Street shopping and leisure complex, which will provide a new department store, cinema and restaurants