New Tesco is starting to rise up

A new multi-million pound Tesco superstore has started rising up from its foundations alongside the A4123, one of the Black Country's busiest roads.

A metal framework has begun to appear on the skyline at the site of the £27 million development at Burnt Tree Island on the border of Dudley and Sandwell.

Metal girders have been hoisted into place using a huge crane as construction starts on the new store.

Work to clear the site of debris had been ongoing since demolition of the old store, including its landmark clock tower, was completed in January.

Concrete has also been used to fill in a number of old mine shafts around the site in preparation for the new foundations to be laid. The store is expected to be completed by the end of the year and bosses hope it will be trading in time for Christmas.

It is hoped to use some of the materials from the old store in the rebuilding work but there are no plans to recreate the clock tower in the new designs.

The store is planned as a concept store and may include facilities such as a hair salon, nail bar and gym — although these developments are still under discussion at the moment.

The original supermarket was built in 1992 on the site of the former Ewarts factory.

A temporary store with 120 staff has opened on the site while the new supermarket is being built. The remaining 300 workers have been transfered to other branches during building work.