Bradford supermarket chain Morrisons is planning to develop 100 stores by the end of next year - when it celebrates its Centenary.

The company also says it will create 2,400 jobs next year as it opens more supermarkets.

By the end of this year the firm will have created 2,500 jobs and opened a total of 95 supermarkets - particularly in the south where it aims to compete with southern supermarket chains.

The next store to open is on Monday and has been acquired from the Co-op, in Chingford, Essex. The next new Morrisons store to open will be in Erith, Kent on October 5. The firm also plans to open stores in Norwich, Letchworth, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Nelson, Lancashire next year.

The company is still expanding in Bradford with the new Farmer's Boy fresh food factory in Cemetery Road where 250 jobs will be created in time for the Christmas trade and is pushing ahead with a new supermarket in Thornbury with a further 350 jobs on the cards.

The firm's new store plans were announced as part of its half-year results, which showed the company had made a 10.7 per cent increase in pre-tax profits to £68.3 million compared with £61.7 million last time. This was on a 7.8 per cent rise in turnover to £1.24 million, compared with £1.12 million last time.

Chairman Ken Morrison said today: "Our tried and tested policy of consistently low prices and outstanding value for money is greatly appreciated by shoppers everywhere. Prices are the same in every one of our stores and we intend to continue to pursue this policy vigorously. We relish the challenge ahead and welcome the opportunity for further growth."

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