STOURPORT'S economy could be handed a massive boost after a national supermarket chain announced it plans to open a superstore in the town.

The proposed new Tesco store would be built on the former Carpets of Worth site in Severn Road and replace its existing smaller Lombard Street premises.

Up to 250 jobs could be created by the move if Wyre Forest District Council gives the proposals the green light.

Katherine Edwards, the company's corporate affairs manager, said: "It would not be a massive store but it would be big enough for customers to do a weekly shop. The plan is for it to cover approximately 30,000sq ft.

"A store of this size normally has about 250 workers. People in the existing store in the town would be given the chance to take up positions at the new one."

A mixed development of residential and retail units, including a supermarket, was mentioned for the site in the council's Local Plan, which detailed preferred land uses until 2011.

Council spokeswoman, Jane Doyle, said no official planning application had yet been received from the company.

Stourport councillor, Jill Fairbrother Millis, said: "The development of the site would be welcome and I would be delighted about the provision of new work for the town.

"I hope that any plans are developed to provide a good road infrastructure and give sensible access to the site. If the main entrance was placed in Severn Road then that could cause big traffic problems because the street is too narrow to cope with an increase of that size."