Supermarket chain Tesco is hoping to re-open the former Kwik Save supermarket in Villiers Street, Hartlepool town centre, as a Tesco Express.

It comes with work on a multi-million pound extension of the Tesco store in Burn Road nearing completion, and would add to the company's stores already operating in Catcote Road and Wiltshire Way.

If planning permission is granted the town centre store could be open by January next year with the creation of between 15 to 20 jobs.

Tesco has submitted three separate planning applications for the work and planning officers from Hartlepool Borough Council are expecting to have made a decision by early December.

If planning consent is approved the inside of the store will be renovated and new shopfronts will be installed on both the Villiers Street and Roker Street entrances.

Sliding doors will be put in place and an ATM cash machine will be installed outside of the store.

It is not yet clear what services the Tesco Express store will offer.

A spokeswoman for Tesco said: "The new store is provisionally down to open on Thursday, January 22, with the creation of approximately 15 to 20 jobs."

To mark the launch a cheque for £500 will be presented to a local hospice or primary school by Tesco chiefs.

Kwik Save closed its doors last year with the loss of 11 jobs.

A spokesman for the council said: "A decision is expected by early December."

Tesco already has three stores in Hartlepool, one at Throston Grange shops, the Fens shopping parade and the main Tesco Extra store in Burn Road.

Recent improvements to the Tesco Extra store has resulted in 50 extra jobs being created and the store, meaning that it now has a 480-strong workforce.

The new-look store has remained open during the expansion work, but there will be an official re-launch on Monday, November 24.