The town's vacant Woolworths store is to be taken over by high street giant Boots.

As first revealed on the Mail's website, the pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer will move a few doors away from its existing town branch to the larger Toll Gavel premises previously occupied by the Woolworths store.

A spokesman for Boots said: "This move will increase our pharmacy, healthcare and beauty product and service offering for our customers."

The Woolworths store has stood empty since January, when all 800 of its stores nationwide closed.

Boots has not yet confirmed when the move will take place or said what will happen to its existing store.

Alan Menzies, East Riding Council's director of planning and economic regeneration, said the move by Boots to the former Woolworths store was a good move for Beverley's shopping centre.

He said: "It's a very positive move. It demonstrates the confidence in Beverley as a retail centre.

"There was never a for-sale board at the site, which is indicative of the demand for the location.

"To have a brand of the quality of Boots expanding its presence in the town is a very positive sign for the vitality of the retail centre."

It is expected the Toll Gavel premises currently occupied by Boots will also be snapped up quickly.