A DISCOUNT store is to expand to nearly twice its size if plans are approved.

Home Bargains has applied for permission to expand into the neighbouring Poundstretcher store in Barrow's Walney Road Retail Park.

The chain is due to seal the sale of the freehold of the three units in the park - Argos and Poundstretcher sit either side of the current store.

According to plans, the work would make up part of a £2m investment by the company, which has another smaller store in Barrow town centre.

Proposals submitted to Barrow Council say the two units would be joined together with a new entrance to Home Bargains to built in place of the Poundstretcher store.

A statement making up the plans submitted said: "This planning application specifically relates to the retail warehouse units at Walney Road Retail Park comprising Unit A (Poundstretcher), Unit B (Home Bargains) and Unit C (Argos).

"TJM (trading as Home Bargains) have recently acquired the freehold of the Retail Park.

"Following Poundstretcher's well publicised Company Voluntary Agreement, the landlord will secure Vacant Possession of unit to facilitate an upsizing of the Home Bargains store.

"This application for external alterations and associated works has been submitted to allow the amalgamation of Units A and B.

"The external alterations and associated works will also allow the building to be refurbished to a high standard to better suit the needs of Home Bargains business model."