A NEW car park in Stockton will close on Sunday to allow builders to continue their work.

Part of the £43m Wellington Square car park opened in November to provide extra spaces for Christmas shoppers, but it will close again on Sunday to give workers easy access.

Vehichle access to and from the new car park will be from the new inner Stockton relief road at the junction of Wellington Street, Leeds Street and Nelson Street.

The finished 875-space car park was due to open at Christmas, but was delayed because of equipment delivery.

Stockton Councillor Bob Cook said: "We worked very closely with Wellington Square Development Company and the contractor HBG Construction Ltd to offer the extra spaces over Christmas.

"But now they need to press on with the remaining works and they need access to the lower floor to complete the car park.

"We expect the car park to open fully in late April."

The new car parking spaces will ensure a total of 4,015 drivers can park in Stockton town centre.