Wm Morrison Supermarkets says it will create 2,400 jobs next year as part of an expansion programme.

This is on top of the 2,000 new posts being provided by the supermarket chain this year.

BBC Correspondent Pauline McColl: "A move into the south east for the first time" (32")

Morrison, which has stores across the country from Carlisle to Northampton, said it would build seven new branches as part of its on-going enlargement.

While the exact locations of all the new sites are not being revealed, Morrison says it will develop two outlets at Norwich, Norfolk and Letchworth in Hertfordshire.

Morrison is already building superstores at Brampton in the Dearne Valley, Banbury, Erith and Retford. Its site at Halfway in Sheffield will be ready for trading by the end of this month.

Going south

The northern-based group also says it has bought an existing superstore at Anlaby in Hull.

The company's Managing Director, John Dowd, said the newly announced branches in the south of England would make Morrison "more of a national retailer".

Morrison's total number of branches is planned to rise from 85 to 99 by 2000.

In its annual results announced on Thursday, Morrison says that trading during the first six weeks of the year was 7.7% up on the same period last year.

Profits up

Turnover for the year ended February 1, 1998 increased by 5.6% from £2.2bn to £2.3bn. Pre-tax profits rose from £135.8m to £151.4m.

The chain, frequently tipped as a takeover target, has declined to comment on whether it will be considering a merger after the decision by rivals Kwik Save Group and Somerfield to join forces.

Morrison is raising its total dividend from 1.7p to 2.1p.
 

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