HUNDREDS of jobs are set to be created in Hampshire as one of the country's leading supermarkets unveiled new plans for a new store.

Today retail giant Tesco revealed plans to build a new foodstore in Fareham town centre, bringing at least 200 jobs to the area.

The proposed plans for the store at Quay Street have already been welcomed by council chiefs and residents will get the opportunity to have their say at the end of this week.

The chosen site at Quay Street has been derelict for several years and was last used by the Glynwed foundry leaving the land contaminated and in desperate need of regeneration.

This move to bring a major foodstore into the town centre is set to boost the council's multi-million pound make-over of West Street that is set to begin in the autumn.

Councillor Sean Woodward, leader of Fareham Borough Council, said: "It has long been an aim of our administration to bring a quality foodstore to Fareham Town Centre.

"If Tesco can satisfy the planning and highways issues I will be delighted to welcome them to Fareham. Along with the regeneration of the Western end of West Street this would complete Fareham Town Centre."

Tesco's decision to move to the town follows a poll, which revealed that 65 per cent of residents were in favour of a new supermarket within the town.

Melanie Chiswell, from Tesco, said: "Many people have to travel in their cars to out-of-town stores when they'd prefer to do their main shop locally.

"A new Tesco in Quay Street would provide a more convenient place to shop as well as hundreds of new jobs and more choice for local residents."

On July 13 and July 14, Tesco will be holding a public exhibition of the plans at Fareham Town Shopping Centre.