A major expansion by a DIY store could create 250 jobs in Colchester.

Household giant B&Q has already secured planning permission for a DIY and garden superstore in the Hythe area of the town.

Today it announced it hoped to launch the new superstore, which would be three times bigger than normal stores, early in 2001.

But spokeswoman for the company, Lorian Coutts, said it was not clear what would happen to the existing store in Mason Road, off Cowdray Avenue. "A decision is yet to be made about that. Sometimes, in situations like this, the store stays, it has to be looked at it in detail.

"It is pointless making our minds up at this early stage," she added.

But with normal stores only employing between 50 and 80 people, the new premises would still offer extra jobs should it be the only one to remain.

Miss Coutts said they were confident the project would go ahead next year.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.