SUPERMARKET giants Tesco and Morrisons will go head to head in Frodsham and Helsby as two stores confirmed major plans this week.

Tesco’s multi-million pound extension in Helsby was approved by council planners on Tuesday and Morrisons will overhaul the Co-op store on Frodsham’s High Street which closes on Saturday.

Tesco will extend its Mere’s Edge site by half its size again, creating dozens more jobs, a second floor cafe and bistro.

Despite objections from neighbours to the Tesco superstore, the application – which will expand the site by 1,500 square metres – was approved by Cheshire West and Chester Council on Tuesday night.

Planners received 17 objections from neighbours including concerns about loss of privacy, additional noise, extra traffic, and anti-social behaviour on the car park.

Helsby Parish Council raised no objections to the plans but registered their concerns over potential additional noise and disturbance.

Chairman George Randles said the parish council were “pleased the stores will bring more jobs to the area”.

Planners said the expansion was essential to the future of Frodsham and Helsby after saying the area was losing 70% of its food shopping to other centres like Chester, Cheshire Oaks, Ellesmere Port and Runcorn.

Morrisons have already revealed they want 65 new staff to join existing workers when they open the store this summer.

Gail Roberts, retail recruitment manager for Morrisons, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer up to 65 jobs in Frodsham.

“We are looking forward to building up an enthusiastic team that can provide great fresh food, value and service to the people of Frodsham.”