Up to 470 jobs could be created with the construction of a new supermarket in Littlehampton.

The £20 million project to build a new Morrisons and revamp the town’s Enterprise Centre was unveiled on Tuesday.

A planning application is expected to be submitted to Arun District Council later this year.

The 47,500 sq ft superstore on the vacant Body Shop site in Hawthorn Road, Wick, will create up to 300 jobs.

Project partners Development Securities and Berkshire Capital say it will include 270 customer parking spaces and a petrol station.

A spokesman said: “We will work with local agencies to ensure that local people are recruited.

“Morrisons has been looking for a site in Littlehampton for a considerable time and we are delighted to develop a new store to serve the area.”

Money generated by the new development will be used to refurbish the town’s Enterprise Centre which has been empty for many years.

The 35,000 sq ft building could employ up to 170 people and offer a range of office spaces.

Mark Froud, of Sussex Enterprise, said: “The Enterprise Centre has been in planning for a long time.

“To see it actually happen will be a big boost to the town and give it the confidence factor that could really help it to take off.”