THE supermarket giant Sainbury's is set to create hundreds of jobs in a Kent town.

The company is switching some of its regional distribution operations to a multi-million pound complex being built close to the QEII Bridge at Dartford.

Although Sainsbury’s declined to confirm the number of jobs involved, reliable sources have told the Dartford Messenger it should be as many as 700 and probably more.

In terms of employment, this would make it one of the largest projects in the Dartford area since the opening of Bluewater.

While some workers will transfer from other depots scheduled for closure, there should be many jobs for local people.

The Sainsbury’s distribution centre will be built on the eastern corner of the mixed-use 264-acre site of the former Joyce Green Hospital.

The development, to be known as The Bridge, and nearby marshland is to be transformed into a residential and business complex at the heart of the Thames Gateway regeneration scheme.