TESCO will open its first petrol station in the north-east at the Drogheda Retail Park within the next 10 weeks.

Jobs for 15 people will be provided in the 24hour forecourt, which is currently being built close to the retail park entrance.

It is not within the Tesco Extra complex which is off Matthews Lane.

Confirming the news, a spokesperson for Tesco said the eight pump Drogheda petrol station will join 15 other Tesco forecourts which are situated all over the country.

The nearest Tesco petrol stations are on Dublin's northside at Clearwater, Finglas, and Clarehall, near Darndale.

With regular special offers and discounts for Clubcard holders, Tesco petrol stations are extremely popular with shoppers who have been known to queue at busy times for petrol.

With easy access from the M1, the Donore Road and Mary Street, via the slip road, the new Drogheda forecourt is expected to attract large numbers of vehicles.

Tesco expects the new station to be open by late March/early April. No figures on the cost of construction were available.

- Christine DOHERTY