A TOWN'S shopping centre is rolling out the red carpet to welcome a flagship department store next week.

Music, theatre and characters will greet shoppers for the launch of the 35,000sq ft BHS store at Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, in Hartlepool.

Four days of activities and entertainment have been lined up, including dance acts and musical performances.

There will also be free parking at Middleton Grange next Saturday and Sunday, January 28 and 29.

Centre manager Mark Rycraft said: "The new BHS store will be a catalyst not just for the shopping centre, but for Hartlepool, too."

The activities will start on Thursday with the opening of BHS, followed by entertainment from the Vegetable Nannie, piano playing nun Musical Ruth and performances from members of the Red Dreams charity.