Developers hope to begin work on the site early next year

P&O Developments wants to build a �170m shopping centre at Plymouth's Drake Circus made up of 45 new shops, cafes and restaurants.

Now Marks and Spencer has agreed a deal which will see its store expanded and linked to the new covered shopping centre planned for the site.

It has taken at least 12 years for Marks and Spencer and P&O Properties to reach a deal.

No objectors

It is the last major hurdle to be cleared before building work can start next year on the scheme which will transform shopping in a large chunk of the city centre.

Marks and Spencer will substantially rebuild its Plymouth store in Old Town Street and link it into the new covered Drake Circus shopping mall.

The store size will double to 78,000 square feet, making it the company's largest outlet west of Bristol.

There were no objectors to the Drake Circus scheme at a public enquiry into compulsory purchase orders earlier this week.

The aim is that the development will be open for business in late 2006.