NEWPORT politicians say plans for a supersize Marks and Spencer store would be a "tremendous asset" to the city and attract further investment.

The Argus revealed that the proposed £7 million store could be around 85,000 square feet (including storage) - twice the size of Newport's current Commercial Street store and comparable to the one at Cardiff's Culverhouse Cross.

It would be part of the Modus Corovest Friars' Walk scheme, which has already signed up Debenhams as its flagship anchor store.

Plans for the £200 million shopping scheme have been submitted to the city council and could go before planners in the spring.

Newport East AM John Griffiths said the proposed store would attract other retailers to the city.

"It's excellent news for Newport," he said. "The regeneration is really taking off and lots of different companies and stores want to be involved. They can see Newport is going places."

The council's Conservative group leader Councillor Matthew Evans said: "If it does come to fruition we'd be absolutely delighted.

"It would be a tremendous asset for the city centre and a catalyst for other companies to assist with the regeneration."

Last year Newport city council signed the official deal with Modus for them to carry out the planned £210 million city centre redevelopment.

The 388,000 sq ft retail scheme will be based alongside the redeveloped Kingsway and Cambrian centre schemes, and is set to transform Kingsway, Upper Dock Street and John Frost Square.