WORK on a new £8 million supermarket is set to get underway next month.

The Co-operative Group is to double the size of its current store in Lawton Road, Alsager.

Building work on the supermarket has been in the pipeline for almost a decade. The chain finally won planning permission to demolish the store and replace it with a new one in May 2010.

The investment will secure the jobs of the 40 members of staff already employed at the store, as well as creating a number of new positions. The development will establish a town square area adjacent to The Co-operative Food store and an improved space for Alsager's Wednesday market to thrive in.

A new play area for the pupils of Alsager Highfields Community Primary School and other local children will also form part of the scheme.

Sean Toal, of Co-operative Food, said: We are delighted that work will begin on site this spring and we anticipate that our new store will be open by Christmas 2012."