Almost 500 jobs are to be created in Mid Sussex at a vast new Asda supermarket complex, scheduled to open this year.

The 50,000 sq ft development in Crawley is part of a £360 million nationwide expansion announced today.

Work on the site off the town's High Street is already under way and the store is due to open this autumn.

The chain, which is owned by US retail giant Wal-Mart, has received planning permission for seven new branches and the relocation of three existing stores, as well as the extension of five other sites. All in all, the expansion will bring 3,900 jobs across the UK.

Crawley is one of three sites to get a 450-job boost, along with Sutton, in Surrey, and Stevenage in Hertfordshire.

Other plans include converting existing sites into supercentres selling a broader range of products, including sports equipment and furniture.

Crawley MP Laura Moffatt welcomed today's announcement.

She said: "I am very pleased to welcome Asda to Crawley. Along with greater consumer choice they will bring significant additional employment.

"Asda are good employers and the new employment will be family friendly jobs, more part time and flexible opportunities which are particularly useful for women. I am delighted."

Crawley borough councillor Bill Ward, who has the portfolio for community engagement, said: "The 450 new jobs are very welcome.

"It will put more money in people's pockets which will be spent in the town and so benefit the town as a whole.

"The Asda site will also balance the town as until now most of the shops have been concentrated around the County Mall. It is hoped the store will encourage more people to shop around the High Street.

"While I wholeheartedly welcome the new jobs, it is also important that we keep an eye on the future. Crawley has a good employment record but a lot of the jobs are from the lower-pay sector.

"We also want to see a wider range of jobs in Crawley, giving people a career ladder to climb."