HUNDREDS of jobs could be created if plans to build a supermarket on the site of a manufacturing company go ahead.

Pickerings Lifts, of Stockton, Teesside, announced plans yesterday for a multi-million pound move to a new site, which would allow them to strengthen their position in the European market.

It would also enable the further growth of its sister company Sapphire Technologies.

Pickerings has been based at the junction of Norton Road and Maritime Road since 1854.

However, they would like to see the site redeveloped once they have moved, and Simons Estates has submitted plans to Stockton Borough Council for a development, which would include a large foodstore.

It is hoped the development will create about 350 jobs and attract more shoppers into Stockton town centre.

Donald Fothergill, managing director of Pickerings, said: "We want to maintain our links with the area, and of course, safeguard the future of our local workforce.

"We do believe there are sites within the area which would enable us to invest several million pounds in building a 21st Century manufacturing facility for the company.

"The future of our existing site is an important element in our considerations."

About 150 people are employed by Pickerings and Sapphire Technologies, and it is estimated the development of a supermarket on the existing Pickerings site could create an additional 350 full and part-time jobs.

Mark Newton, senior development surveyor with Simons Estates, said: "We believe the presence of a major high quality food store operator on a site with excellent links to the High Street and the rest of the town centre area could provide a major boost to the local economy.

"The economic multiplier created by the two redeveloped sites both in construction terms and ongoing sales activity for local suppliers will be significant.

"It would obviously assist in attracting more people into the town centre area, helping to reverse the trend of recent years which has seen most major foodstores opening on out-of-town sites.

"There are also considerable employment benefits, both directly, in terms of those created within the store development, and in strengthening the future of Pickerings by enabling them to move into new premises."