LAKESIDE shopping centre has been taken over by a major global firm.

The Thurrock complex has been taken over by Global Mutual along with three other into centres - intu Watford, Victoria in Nottingham, and Braehead in Scotland.

All four shopping centres were part of intu SGS - the largest of the property companies which collectively owned intu's 17 shopping centres.

Global Mutual is a company managing £4.2 billion of global assets, primarily in retail.

The deal secures the future of the shopping centre after intu Properties plc fell into administration in June with huge debts.

Jim Tucker, who is a partner at KPMG and joint administrator of intu properties plc, said: "To date, nine intu centres have successfully migrated to new management.

"This has been achieved thanks to the hard work and commitment from all stakeholders to effect smooth and orderly transitions.

We wish the intu team all the best for the future."