SUPERMARKET giant Tesco has snapped up a £4m slice of land next to its existing south coast delivery depot at Nursling.

But the firm, which famously accounts for £1 in every £8 spent on the high street, says it has no imminent plans to extend its Nursling operation, where more than 900 people are employed.

A spokesman for Tesco said: "The land came up so we decided to buy it in case we want to expand in the future but we are not putting in a planning application at the moment".

Described by vendors Slough Estates as "the last available location for purpose-built warehouse/distribution facilities in the Nursling area," the 2.33-hectare site is known as Vista Park. The site has planning permission for a single warehouse unit with ancillary office accommodation of 124,270 sq ft.

Mike Wilson, regional director of Slough Estates said: "The Nursling Industrial Estate is a premier regional distribution centre because of its excellent transport links adjoining the M271 and M27 motorways and its proximity to the port of Southampton. Vista Park was the final phase of warehouse and distribution development land available and Tesco's purchase of the site demonstrates the very high calibre of businesses that have been attracted to the area."

Slough Estates retain six buildings totalling 140,300 sq ft at Nursling Industrial Estate.