The Woolworths store which has been vacant in Weston-super-Mare since last year is set to open next month.

The high street chain closed its doors last December after the company went into administration and all stock was sold off at bargain prices.

Even the store's fixtures and fittings were sold before the shop closed down.

Now 10 months on, clothing store Ethel Austin is planning to trade from the High Street site from mid November, along with the company's Au Naturale homeware line.

Ethel Austin started trading 70 years ago and is now one of Britain's top value clothing retailers with a nationwide network of nearly 300 stores. Among them is a store in Nailsea and one in Bedminster.

The shop is one of the biggest in the street and its reopening will be a boost to the town centre.

Weston town centre manager Steve Townsend says the new addition is welcomed.

He said: "Things are really starting to look up properly for Weston for the first time this year.

"At the last count there were 49 shops empty in the town centre, compared to 77 six months ago.

"The latest news about Woolworths is great news and really exciting for Weston."

Other shops which closed down in the resort include Adams childrenswear store and Whittards, both of which also went into administration.

Operating in their place are Mountain Warehouse, an outdoor clothing and equipment store, the Calendar Club and Gimme Gizmo, a gadget and novelty gifts shop.