ABOUT 350 jobs are likely to be created by a new supermarket. The Morrisons store would make use of a large plot of derelict land in Knight Road at Strood.

Proposals for a supermarket on the site were first approved five years ago. The revised plans are expected to get the go-ahead from Medway council in the near future.

Staff working at the existing former Safeway store in Strood High Street would transfer to the new premises. They would be joined by 350 new staff.

It is planned at the new premises would open in about a year's time. The new store would have will have 74,500 square feet of retail area, 26 checkouts, a filling station, and 446 parking spaces.

A new roundabout at Knights Park Industrial Estate would give access for traffic and delivery vehicles.

Morrisons bought out Safeways last March during a £3 billion takeover. They have moved quickly to replace their existing store.

Because Safeways received outline planning permission four years ago, preparatory work began this week on the

Detailed planning approval is still needed for the new store. Roger Owen, Morrisons planning director, said: "We expect to get permission in November, and are programming to start construction on January 17, completion on September 30 and start trading at 9am on Monday October 24 next year."

The expansion comes only weeks after Tesco revealed their biggest supermarket in the South East will be built on their Rainham Mark site.