Residents near the site of the store in Queensway, Wellingborough, have welcomed the move.

They say it will provide crucial access to shops for those who cannot make it into Wellingborough town centre.

However, there are warnings that Tesco may need to employ security guards if it intends to open late, in a bid to curb problems with late night drinking.

Raymond Boswell, of Ruskin Avenue, Wellingborough, said: "It's there for people who cannot get down to the supermarket or the town centre. It will be really helpful.

"When the other shop was there it was used quite heavily. I don't think there will be too many problems with crime because there is already a Co-Op nearby."

Neighbour John-Luke Mickinnon-Manclark said: "I would welcome it but security will be a bit of an issue. There have been several incidents at the Co-op and they need to think about security quite a bit."

The Tesco store will be built on the old Costcutter site.

It will mean that residents living nearby will once again be able to pick up a newspaper and a pint of milk without having to travel to shop further away.

The Queensway estate has battled with crime problems in the past. Earlier this year the Evening Telegraph reported how the Co-op store in Olympic Way, Wellingborough had £500 of charity money stolen in a burglary.

Despite this, residents say crime problems have got better, with new CCTV cameras being installed in and around the Olympic Road shops.

Mr Mickinnon-Manclark added: "There was always a shop there so this shouldn't make too much of a difference to traffic or crime.

"The alcohol problem is down to Tesco making sure they don't serve people who are drunk or under age."