Redcar'S £26m Regent Walk Shopping Centre is already open for business - at least for a small number of stores that have jumped the gun.

Others are expected to open their doors in the new town centre development in the coming days - ahead of the official opening on Saturday, November 2.

Of the 23 units, 20 have been leased and town centre manager, John Partridge, said negotiations are in progress for the other three.

The centrepiece of the new shopping attraction is the new Morrisons superstore which will have 650 car park spaces.

The 201,000sq ft development has been built as part of a joint venture between developers the Teesland Group and Sir Robert McAlpine.

Lettings include a new unit to Argos, Allsports and Bodycare. One of the largest is a 30,000sq ft unit on a 25-year lease to Westgate (Anglia) Limited, part of the East Anglia Co-operative Society.

Mr Partridge said the new centre would raise the profile of the town and help it flourish. He said: "We are negotiating with three chains for the three remaining shops but we are sure the centre will be a major success and a benefit to Redcar."

Other stores opening at the centre include Burtons and Dorothy Perkins. Companies such as Dixons, Greggs and Internacionale are also interested. The project will link Morrisons to the main high street by an open mall of shops.

The council was keen the centre should offer modern shopping facilities inside the town, not in an out-of-town development.

One of the more controversial aspects of the new Regent Walk development has been the Seven Plaice sculpture.

Councillors objecting to the new brightly-coloured piece of art said the people of Redcar were not properly consulted, with the choice going to members of the Teesland Group board.

However, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's planning committee gave permission to the work.