Up to 100 jobs could be created when one of the country's biggest supermarket chains opens a new depot in Dartford.

Sainsbury's is planning to move into a 670,000 sq ft regional distribution centre in the town to tap into its road and sea transport links.

A spokesman for the firm, which owns more than 800 stores nationwide and employs about 150,000 staff, said the move was expected to create between 60 and 100 new jobs in the borough.

The facility, off Canterbury Way and part of The Bridge development, will be managed by logistics firm DHL, and will distribute Sainsbury's beer, wine and spirit ranges.

When it opens this autumn it will take over from the retailer's site at Corby, Northamptonshire, which is closing for an eight-month refurbishment programme.

The depot will also handle some of the beer, wine and spirit ranges currently distributed from facilities at Rye Park, Hertfordshire, and Charlton, London, which the firm has said will suffer no job losses.

Sainsbury's announced the plans as part of a reorganisation of its warehouse and transport network, which it hopes will improve efficiency and services to its stores.

The company's logistics director, Dave King, said: "Dartford has great transport links and its location near the ports will help us generate significant transport cost savings and reduce the number of routes used to distribute goods to our stores.

"It is also good news for Dartford as it will generate substantial job opportunities in the area."