FORTY new jobs are set to served up at a new drive-thru restaurant in Greenock.

The Tele exclusively revealed yesterday that Taco Bell is expected to open at the Waterfront Retail Park later this year.

Bosses from HKIP, joint venture owners of the retail park, today said the Mexican inspired fast food chain will bring 40 new jobs.

It's hoped that construction work could start in the summer, should the finalised plans be given the green light.

Permission was previously granted for a restaurant on the site.

A spokesman for HKIP said: "A planning application has been submitted for the proposed Taco Bell drive-thru restaurant at the park.

"Taco Bell is the world`s largest Mexican-inspired food brand now trading from 40 restaurants in the UK with ambitions to open a further 120 by 2022

"This will bring a new, fresh restaurant concept to Greenock and will also stimulate commercial interest in the park and increase customer footfall.

"The restaurant will create up to 40 new jobs and will be positioned at the entrance to the park where consent already exists for a larger restaurant.

"Works are expected to start on site in the summer."

The Greenock drive-thru will be the third Taco Bell in Scotland, with further outlets trading in Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow city centre and in Irvine, Ayrshire.