TRADERS have welcomed news that Scottish retail giant M&Co is taking over the former Woolworths store in Sherborne.

A sign announcing the takeover appeared on the Cheap Street shopfront last week, inviting applications for jobs at the new store.

M&Co, formerly known as Mackays, sells clothing for men, women and children at mid-market prices.

Andrew McGeoch, head of marketing and web services at M&Co said: "We're pleased to confirm our move into the old Woolworths outlet. As one of the very few retailers to be bucking the national trend, we're thrilled to be investing back into local high streets."

Sherborne Chamber of Trade and Commerce chairman Thelma Drabik said: "It's important that all our shops here in Sherborne are occupied and Woolworths was a big space to fill.

"Most of our clothing shops we have are small, independent and unique. We have a few multiples but they are more up-market. This will give a little bit of balance to the town. It might hold more people in Sherborne as well, who beforehand may have had to go to Yeovil for the sorts of things M&Co sell."

Jane Briggs, owner of Bellissima Lingerie in Cheap Street, said: "I think we have to cater for everybody's needs.

"We don't want shoppers having to travel too far, especially with the lack of public transport in the area.

"Everybody misses Woolworths. It would have been nice if a shop could have come in which sold the same sort of stock. The children loved it but it will be good to have a place for cheaper children's clothes."

Janis White of Four Seasons in Cheap Street said that while a greater choice would benefit everyone, she expressed disappointment that the space could not have been filled by a different type of retailer.

She said : "It's a pity that it has to be another clothing shop. At one time we had hardly any in Sherborne. Now we're inundated."