Plans for a Primark store to open in the region have been revealed to be fake and part of an April Fool's joke that The Northern Echo fell for.

It emerged that a planning application had been entered to construct a Primark store in Washington, Tyne & Wear.

The new store would have been situated on the land adjacent to the leisure centre, close to the existing Galleries shopping centre.

In a joke comment, Primark's so-called head of UK Operations, Avril Fewel said: “We are delighted to announce the construction of a new store in Washington, further expanding our footprint in the North East.”

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Ms Fewel added: “The store will feature an in store Greggs café outlet, a William Hill bookmakers and charity store where you will be able to donate used Primark clothing in exchange for store credit.

“The building has also been designed with the future in mind with designs for a 7 screen IMAX cinema also in the works.”

However, it has been revealed that the plans were actually fake and part of an April fool's joke.