No longer will Worcester's women have to send their husbands down the High Street to replace their holey socks while they shop for new knickers.

When Marks & Spencers' separate men's and women's stores unite later this year, the husbands and wives of the Faithful City will at last be able to shop blissfully together.

While many men will no doubt be less than exhilarated at that prospect, the development is good news for Marks & Spencer and good news for Worcester.

Times have been hard recently for the company fondly known as M&S or Marks & Sparks.

Generations of British shoppers have bought their underwear from this British retail institution, but its well-made but unadventurous clothes were starting to look distinctly frumpy, while its drab stores compared unfavourably with the bright, modern premises of rivals who had moved rather better with the times.

However, the news that Worcester's High Street is to host what is in effect a Marks & Spencer megastore when the firm takes over the premises currently occupied by Woolworth's shows the company's star is rising again.

With glossy TV advertisements promoting the firm's new, fashionable lines, the revamped store is sure to bring even more people flocking to Worcester.

Until now, the High Street has been full of confused shoppers wandering between the two stores wondering which one has what they're looking for.

Soon they'll be able to find it all under one roof, and more people will leave Worcester happy, relaxed and already planning to return - apart from the odd frazzled husband.