SUPERMARKET giant Asda is to bring a further jobs boost to the North-East with news announced today of plans for a new clothing distribution centre.

The company has applied for planning permission to develop a 380,000-sq ft depot to distribute its hugely popular George line of clothing to its stores across the North.

It would be situated on land alongside the company's existing regional food distribution centre, just off the A1231 Sunderland Highway in Washington.

A £40m development, it could be up and running in 18 months, providing a further 700 jobs on top of the 1,000 already employed at the neighbouring food distribution centre and at existing stores in the Sunderland and Washington area alone.

The news comes just a week after Nissan announced plans to develop its latest car at its Wearside plant, only around a mile from the Asda site, adding 200 jobs to its workforce.

Asda Stores distribution director David Gibbons said the Washington site provides excellent connections to the A1(M), A19 and the rest of the North-East road network.

"It will complement our existing facility in Washington, making it a major Asda hub and it builds on the excellent links we already have with the local community."

The depot would store and distribute the growing George line of clothing, which accounts for an increasing proportion of sales at all Asda and other Wallmart stores across the globe.

Developed 15 years ago by designer George Davis, now behind rival Marks and Spencer's Per Una clothing, the George line covers everything from baby wear, school uniforms, sportswear, to bridal gowns and more up-market collections.

Councillor Dave Allan, the Sunderland City Council member for management and business investment, hailed the news as another "feather in our cap" after last week's Nissan announcement.

"The company already employs 1,000 people in Sunderland and we are extremely pleased Asda has selected the city as a favoured location to create potential for a further 700 new jobs over an 18-month period.

"The city has established a reputation for attracting major investors and this development highlights Asda's confidence in Sunderland."

The proposal is expected to progress through the council's planning process in coming weeks, but coun Allan said he does not expect it to hit any hurdles.