WIDESPREAD delight has greeted news that Waitrose is to open in Wellington.

Hailing the announcement that Waitrose is to buy the mothballed supermarket in Red Lion Court, creating up to 130 jobs, as a "boost for the town," Mayor Cllr Peter Critchard spoke for many people when he said this week: "We have waited a long time for this news.

"Waitrose being in the town will give Wellington something Taunton hasn't got.

"Not only could it help slow the flow of local people going to Taunton to shop, but it could also bring more people into Wellington."

Waitrose's surprise announcement ends widespread exasperation over the future of the Red Lion Court site, which has lain empty and boarded up since building was completed in January.

The new Waitrose store will make the company one of the biggest employers in the town.

See this week's WWN for the full story