TIDWORTH is to have its own Tesco store with the doors due to open by the summer of next year.

Chairman of the Tidworth and District Chamber of Commerce, David Wildman, is hailing it as the cornerstone of retail revival for the community.

The Tesco Metro store will be slightly bigger than the Tesco Metro in Andover's Chantry Centre at 3.9 hectares and will be built in Station Road opposite the current parade of shops.

Mr Wildman told Tidworth Parish Councillors that contracts had been exchanged and the store would be built by summer next year.

The announcement was made at the parish council meeting on Tuesday evening.

"I think it's an absolute first-rate sale and cornerstone of Tidworth's retail revival," said Mr Wildman. "Once that takes place, it'll bring people to shop in the area. It's a very important day."

For the full story see Friday's Andover Advertiser.