Tesco bosses are considering expanding their Taunton store over two floors and adding at least another storey to the car park.

The Wellington Road outlet, opened in October 2001, is now viewed as too small to cope with the volume of customers and traffic.

The upwards extensions, which have been informally put to Taunton Deane Council planners, are among possible improve-ments under dis-cussion at Tesco's head office.

The company hopes to make a final decision in the coming days before lodging a planning applica-tion at the Deane House.

Planning consultant Peter Edwards has unveiled possible pro-posals for more retail sales space with a caf and ancillary accommodation on the first floor of the existing building.

Taunton Deane Council planning officer Tim Burton confirmed Tesco had indicated its intention to increase the size of the store.

He said; "Any application from Tesco will be treated properly on its merits."

For further details on this story see this week's Somerset County Gazette.