Job hunters can find out more about potential roles being created at a major Southampton housing and business development.

Work is well under way on the £500m Centenary Quay Development in Woolston, which it is hoped will provide 1,000 jobs by the time it is completed in 2018.

A free skills fair, from 10am to 4pm tomorrow, will highlight the types of positions expected to be created in shops, restaurants, offices and marine industries on the former Vosper Thornycroft site.

New council leader Cllr Richard Williams said the event at St Mark’s Institute Building in Victoria Road will give people the chance to find out more about the jobs that will be available and how they can best prepare themselves to be able to take advantage of those opportunities.

He said: “I am committed to helping young people gain apprenticeships and sustainable employment.

“The council plans to establish a Southampton apprenticeship scheme for employers across the city that offers real job opportunities to our young people in important areas such as construction.” He added: “This is great opportunity to see what future jobs will be available.”

But the Labour leader’s comments have led to accusations of hypocrisy from his Tory rivals, after Cllr Williams previously joined campaigners opposing the Centenary Quay development, over fears of too many homes.

Conservative group leader Cllr Royston Smith said: "I’m pleased that the new leader of the council in supporting the skills fair is acknowledging the importance of the Centenary Quay development in helping to create opportunities in spite of his fighting the proposals every step of the way.”