SUPERMARKET giant Tesco is set to invest £260,000 in the Great Harwood community after getting permission to open a superstore the town.

The plans have been fiercely opposed by many traders and residents with some claiming the store would ruin small local businesses.

The 45,000sq ft store will now be built on the site currently occupied by the Metflex rubber components factory in Queen Street.

The company will now invest the cash in a series of improvement projects in the local area.

They include-paying £170,000 to upgrade bus stops in the area, a contribution of £25,000 to footpath improvements along the north side of Queen Street and a contribution of £65,000 towards environmental improvements in the town.

It is thought the new store will create around 150 jobs.