WORK to extend a Chorley shopping centre is underway with a High Street name and cinema operator already signed up to the £12million development.
Shopping centre owners Chorley Council has been working on plans to extend Market Walk for a number of years with the diggers rolling in to start the work.
The eight-unit development will see a M&S foodhall, six-screen Reel Cinema, restaurants and other new businesses come to the growing market town.
A giant spade helped to break ground on the site at a ceremony to mark the start of the construction.
Alistair Bradley, leader of Chorley Council, said: "It was great to see work starting on site and good progress has already been made with the first step to clear the site and them piling to put the foundations in place."
John Wilson of Eric Wright Construction, said: "As a local contractor we are extremely proud to be delivering this scheme with Chorley Council and look forward to getting the main built underway. It offers a modern two-storey extension to the existing shopping centre which will become a major feature within the town."