PORT Glasgow's £40 million retail park has created 1,000 jobs according to developers.

The latest extension of the Clydebuilt shopping park is nearing completion with household names such as TK Maxx and B&M opening in each of the last two weeks.

Joining them at the former Scott Lithgow and East Glen shipyards site are supermarket chain Aldi and department store Watt Brothers with high street fashion retailers Next, Marks and Spencer and bargain shop Poundworld joining them next summer, as revealed by the Tele earlier this week.

DIY giants B&Q, Costa Coffee and Marston's family pub and restaurant The Waterwheel are already there having opened two years ago.

Retail park bosses say around 1,000 jobs, including existing and new construction posts, have been created as a result of the retail park.

Inverclyde council leader, Councillor Stephen McCabe, said: "These are some major household names and it is a very welcome show of confidence in Inverclyde and Port Glasgow as retail locations.

"New jobs from this development sit at 1,000.

"These are hugely significant to our local economy and this is a development to be welcomed for our area.

"It is important we recognise the real value this development presents for the local economy and as a catalyst to showcase what a positive destination Inverclyde is for business."

M&S has leased 40,000 sq ft for a department store in the next phase of the development along with Next, who have signed up for a 24,500 sq ft unit.

Construction is due to start soon and could open as early as spring next year.

It is estimated as much as £65m in retail expenditure is spent outwith the Inverclyde area each year and it is hoped new stores will encourage more local shopping.