THE MANAGER of a threatened garage in Eaglescliffe is demanding an answer to his bid to save the business from falling into the hands of property developers.

Andy Adamson, 44, has offered owners Save Retail £350,000 to buy Orchard Service Station in Urlay Nook Road.

He says he has re-mortgaged his home to raise the cash, with help from a business partner.

The garage is the subject of a planning inquiry but no application has yet been submitted to Stockton Borough Council.

However, it is believed that an unnamed developer is interested in building 31 flats on the site.

Mr Adamson has also heard that Tesco, which has a store nearby, has shown interest in the garage and may have topped his bid.

He said: "I am going to speak to the management at Save this weekend to find out what is going on."

"Rumour has it that Tesco are interested, which would make sense," he added.

Tesco declined to comment yesterday on whether it had made an offer for the filling station.

Mr Adamson and his wife, Julie, have been overwhelmed by public support and have more than 3,000 names on a petition to save the business.

"We are going to be the nearest one for miles around because the Texaco garage in Yarm Road is closing this weekend," he added.

"The next one will be at Preston Farm, which is about four miles away, so that should give us more ammunition in keeping this place open."