A BETTING licence has been granted for a bookmakers at a development in Newton Aycliffe.

Magistrates granted the licence to John Joyce company director Alexander Robertson at a licensing hearing in Darlington yesterday.

The shop will form part of the Cobblers Hall development, which is expected to create 150 jobs and should be completed in three months.

The development includes shops, a care home and a children's nursery.

The bookmakers is one of ten retail units, creating 90 jobs, which will include a convenience store, a health and beauty shop and a number of takeaway food shops.

The shops will be served by a car park with spaces for 87 vehicles, and a petrol filling station