SUPERMARKET giant Kwik Save is shedding more than half its workforce at its Southern Towngate store, in Leyland, which is due to close this weekend.

While 33 workers have been offered jobs at the firm's other branch in Towngate, 56 face redundancy.

Leyland Central Liberal Democrat councillor Gareth Armstrong has blasted the job losses, calling it 'a matter of grave concern'. He said: "It's very sad for those involved and a strong warning for the council that we need to do something to help these people out. It is going to be bad for the area's economy and is going to take a long time to rebuild."

The redundancies follow the merger 17 months ago of Kwik Save with the Somerfield chain, incorporating the takeover of the former Food Giant near Leyland market.

A spokesperson for the firm said: "Kwik Save have been working with staff and Leyland Job Centre in a series of consultations following redundancies at the store. All staff have been kept informed about the situation and where possible we have helped with trying to find alternative employment within Leyland, both liaising with the job centre and our personnel department at the head office in Bristol."

The news comes as plans to build a Tesco supermarket on the site of the Southern Towngate store get underway ready for 2001.

Coun Armstrong said: "While there might be some hope of employment in the future, when the new Tesco opens, that is a long time away and there are no guarantees of job offers."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.