More than 1,300 jobs are set to be created when a huge new warehouse and delivery centre is opened in Swindon later this year.

Internet commerce giant Amazon is using the enormous new plant being built at Symmetry Park just off the A420 on the eastern edge of Swindon and the company is hiring 10,000 new staff across the company.

That includes at least 13,00 jobs at new fulfilment centres in Swindon, Gateshead and Dartford.

The company’s  UK manager John Boumphrey said: “We’re creating thousands of good jobs across the UK from a diverse range of roles with excellent pay and benefits.

“We’re also delighted to be working on a pioneering approach to our Career Choice programme to provide the training, and skilled workers, needed to boost local economies right across the country.

“We’re proud of the front-line roles we offer across Amazon, and we also know that they will be a stepping stone for some in their career journey.”

Local councillors said they were very pleased at the news.

Roger Smith who represents the St Margaret and South Marston ward said: “This is not unexpected – we knew the Symmetry Park plant was due to be opened later this year – and we expected there to be  in excess of 1,000 jobs, although we weren’t certain of the exact numbers.

“This is very good news, to have more jobs created as Honda leaves. And when the Honda plant is shut Panattoni, which is building the Symmetry park site for Amazon will bring forward it’s plans for that as well.”

His fellow ward councillor Russell Holland said: “Investment in the town is always welcome. I think a lot of towns must be looking at the levels of investment Swindon is getting with some energy, and we should continue with that.”