CAMPAIGNERS who did not want to see an Argos lowering the tone in an affluent Hampshire town have had their wishes granted - Marks & Spencer is definitely coming instead.

When it emerged that the Argos catalogue store planned to set up shop in Lymington's former Waitrose store in St Thomas' Street, more than 1,000 people signed a petition against it.

M&S has now confirmed it is to take on the lease of the shop and the new Simply Food store is set to open in the spring.

The popular chain began recruiting staff for the new store this week.

The news has been welcomed by Lymington traders who feared an Argos store would attract the wrong calibre of customer.

Claudia Jonkers, owner of Cloud Cuckoo Land gift shop, next door to the empty premises, said: "We are thrilled, over the moon - it's a lifesaver for the whole town.

"I will be shopping there every day. It would be great to have an Argos elsewhere in the town, just not there. The whole town wanted a Marks & Spencer. We need another food outlet otherwise the town would have just died."

Waitrose vacated the 2,000 square metre site in October when it took over the nearby old Morrisons store.

Neil Welker, director of Lymington Chamber of Commerce, said: "This is good news. Anything coming to the town is better than an empty shop - we will welcome M&S. It should be a good addition to the town."

Mr Welker did, however, express some concern about the new store, saying: "Personally, the only question mark is do we need two supermarkets catering mainly towards the top end?'' The site was marketed for an annual rent of £230,000 on a 30-year lease.

A spokesman for M&S confirmed the store would open within the next few months.