A NEW doctors' surgery and 220 jobs have been promised by supermarket giant Sainsbury's if its plans for a huge new store at Poulton are passed by Wyre Borough Council.

The retailer has submitted plans to the council for a 26,000 sq ft store on land it has bought at the junction of Station Road and Breck Road -- 500 metres from Poulton centre.

As well as creating a host of new jobs, Sainsbury's said it also intends to use part of the site to build a new GP surgery for two local practices -- Lockwoods Surgery and the Poulton and Fylde Clinic -- providing them with 'new modern, spacious accommodation' and creating an additional ten jobs.

If the plans are passed by councillors, the site will also feature landscaped open space, parking for customers and patients and a free shuttle bus service into nearby Poulton village centre.

The firm said a public exhibition about the proposals is planned, together with a consultation programme with Poulton residents and 'stakeholders' including local councillors and Poulton Chamber of Trade.

Stephen Wood, development programme manager for Sainsbury's, said: "If our plans are approved we will be investing a substantial amount of money in Poulton which we believe will be of benefit to the town as a whole.

"The new store will provide local shoppers with much greater choice and will draw people to the town from the surrounding area, as well as creating new jobs."