SUPERMARKET giant Tesco is delivering a jobs boost in one of Glasgow's most deprived areas.

Tesco plans to re-develop Maryhill Shopping Centre with a huge 24-hour supermarket, new shopping mall and car park.

And the chain has pledged that a third of the new jobs at its expanded store will be drawn from the long-term jobless in the area.

Around 160 workers will be hired, increasing the workforce to 300.

Tesco plans to increase the size of its current store at the centre from 5800sq m to 8260sq m and introduce 24-hour opening.

The new store will be elevated to allow underground parking and will be split over three levels. The 285-space car park will be extended to 515 spaces.

Tesco won planning permission in January last year and is involved in detailed discussions over the exact plans for the development. But it's understood work will begin in the New Year.

Maryhill councillor Alex Dingwall said: "Tesco's decision to proceed with its investment in this new store is a huge vote of confidence in the area.

"And its commitment to provide up to a third of the new jobs at its store for long-term unemployed in Maryhill is especially welcome news in an area of high unemployment."

It is a further boost for the area which has been earmarked for a £100million regeneration plan to build 800 homes and transform the Forth and Clyde Canal.

Jennifer Duncan, Tesco corporate affairs manager, said: "We have been working for some time now to bring forward detailed plans for an appropriate redevelopment of Maryhill Shopping Centre.

"As the shopping centre is built over a railway void, it is an extremely complex project to build."

A controversial planning application by Tesco for a superstore, housing development and car park in Partick was approved this summer after a public inquiry.