A TWO-STOREY branch of Waterstone's will open in the summer in the former Dressers store in Darlington, the bookseller confirmed yesterday.

As revealed in The Northern Echo on Wednesday, the chain has signed a lease with landlord Bertie, the Bishop-Auckland based designer store.

The Waterstone's shop in High Row will feature a coffee shop - as does its rival on the opposite side of the road, Ottakar's.

Nick Williams, operations director for Waterstone's, said: "I am delighted that we will be opening the new branch in Darlington as there is a lot of potential for us there.

"I think our commitment to range, recommendation and bookseller expertise will be well received by book lovers in the town."