FORMER Morrisons workers who lost their jobs earlier this year have welcomed news of a new warehouse deal.

Waitrose, the grocery operation of the John Lewis Partnership, has bought the former Morrisons depot in Aylesford from the supermarket group for an undisclosed sum – and has pledged to employ people from the area.

Morrisons closed the depot in January, leaving 1,000 warehouse staff jobless. The incoming company has said 1,000 jobs will be offered on site, due to start operating in mid-2007.

Former Morrisons staff are not guaranteed their jobs back at the depot. But a Waitrose spokesman said: "We will be recruiting from scratch, but those with experience will be in a very strong position."

One ex-worker Phil Parris said: "I think they’ll have to recruit a lot of the old workers – if they are looking for 1,000 people they will need them, especially the skilled ones."

Jeff Goswell, GMB senior organiser, said the union would approach Waitrose on behalf of former workers.

Waitrose is due to start recruiting early next year for its fourth regional distribution centre.