Up to 200 jobs at the proposed new Tesco supermarket in Rugeley could go to the long-term unemployed if the store gets the go-ahead.

Supermarket giants Tesco has said it will make a commitment to give 50 per cent of the 400 jobs at its new Rugeley store to those on long-term unemployment benefit as part of its effort to boost the local community.

This is a key pledge from Tesco who are hoping to win public support for its plans ahead of submitting a planning application to Cannock Chase Council in coming weeks.

Tesco already owns the former Celcon factory site in Leathermill Lane after a bid to build in the town was thwarted by Government ministers in 2002.

Under the proposals revealed by Tesco at a public consultation event in April the new 40,000sq ft store will create 400 new jobs and provide six retail units which could create another 200 jobs.

The supermarket will have a free 380 space car park, a new petrol station and a pedestrian access link over the canal into the town centre.

Eoin Dardis, corporate affairs manager for Tesco, said the pledge on jobs was part of Tesco’s bid to become a long-term stakeholder in Rugeley.

He said: “We are looking to work with local people and be a part of the local community. We take a stake in the community by buying the site, we don’t lease the site, we will be here for the long-term.

“We want to help with some of the regeneration problems facing Rugeley and we will work with Job Centre Plus to give 50 per cent of our jobs to people who are long term unemployed.”

Mr Dardis said the supermarket would also make sure at least 10 per cent of workers were on a training or promotion scheme meaning workers would have a future with Tesco.