Two major developments have been announced in the build-up to the opening of a new Tesco in Sheringham.

Roadworks connected with the planned supermarket are due to begin later this month, and on April 22 demolition work on the town's old community centre is set to start, clearing the remaining part of the site ready for building work on the store to get under way.

The supermarket is due to open later this year, creating about 150 jobs, after an often bitterly-fought battle for planning permission which began 17 years ago.

Two new accesses will be built to the store, on the A149 Cromer Road, with work set to begin on or soon after April 15, lasting until May 24.

Other highways work will include realigning pavements, widening the existing road to create a right-turn lane into Tesco, creating a new pedestrian crossing and refuge island, altering street lights and drainage arrangements, and building a new bus stop on the southern side of Cromer Road.

Roadworks will be carried out in two phases with the first block lasting for six weeks. It will resume around September 16 for a further fortnight, avoiding the resort's busy summer season.

Sheringham Mayor Doug Smith said on April 15 the town council expected to complete its £173,000 purchase from Norfolk County Council of a new community centre, provided by Tesco on Holway Road. The old centre would close on April 19.

The old fire station and Lockerbie flats on the store site have already been demolished. Tesco has provided a new fire station and is to give £1.25m towards replacement affordable housing.

The multi-national has also donated £60,000 for sporting facilities in the town. It will be used by Sheringham Sports Association towards an all-weather surface.

A Tesco spokesman said: 'As part of our commitment to Sheringham, we are delighted to confirm that many local organisations, charities and projects have already benefited from the Tesco Sheringham Community Fund. These include the Ladybird nursery school, Cruse bereavement care, and the Southrepps Bowls Club.'

Mr Smith said the new community centre was state-of-the-art with underfloor heating, air-conditioning, five upstairs rooms and a downstairs hall which would be the largest such space in Sheringham.

Sheringham Town Council is using £73,000 from its reserves to pay for the building, together with £100,000 from the Public Works Loan Board, repayable over 15 years.

The town clerk would move from Sheringham Town Hall to an office in the new building and it was anticipated that town council meetings would also be held there at some point in the future.

? A Norfolk County Council spokesman explained traffic management arrangements during the roadworks, which would be carried out by the council and its contractors: 'The works in phase one will require the closure of the northern footway from opposite Cremer's Drift to the roundabout with Station Road. Pedestrians will be directed across the carriageway to the southern footway by means of the existing crossing to the west of the site and a temporary, signal-controlled pedestrian crossing at the eastern end of the site.

'Two-way traffic flow will be maintained on the Cromer Road for most of this period, although some short-term traffic control will be needed for street lighting and drainage work.

'Phase two of the works will be undertaken using two-way traffic control and a temporary speed restriction with convoy working for resurfacing. During this period some delays may be experienced.

'During both phases every effort will be made to maintain access to properties and businesses but there may be certain times when works have an impact upon access. The county council apologises for any inconvenience this may cause.'