MORE than 1,000 jobs will be created at a former disused factory site in Southampton, the Daily Echo can reveal.

A total of 1,200 new jobs will be generated at the former Ford site in Swaythling following a £100m redevelopment which has attracted a number of key names.

Among them will be Aston Martin who are preparing proposals to set up a new multi-million showroom, according to council leader Simon Letts and MP Royston Smith.

Previously, Mr Smith had campaigned for the firm to base a production facility for its new hybrid four-by-four DBX vehicles but lost out to St Athan in South Wales.

Councillor Letts, leader of Southampton City Council, said: “The redevelopment of Ford will be a real confidence boost to the Southampton economy.

“We are delighted that 620 jobs will be created in the first phase and have been working with the developer to make sure as many of these jobs go to local people.

Mr Smith, Tory MP for Southampton Itchen, said: “This is a really positive move.”

"Aston Martin coming to the city shows a real confidence in Southampton.”

Three tenants have also announced that they will be moving into three industrial units which are already completed - Cooper Vision, a manufacturer of contact lenses, who will be moving their packaging operations from Fareham, commercial laundry specialists Berendsen who are opening a new cleaning hub to be closer to the cruise ship market, and Murray Health who will relocate from their current base in Chandlers Ford.

Paul Murray, managing director of Murray Health said: “The site will become one of the main commercial centres in Southampton.”

A spokesperson for Cooper Vision said: “The move is a signal of confidence in the south coast in relocating to this iconic site.”

The site, off Wide Lane in Swaythling, was closed in 2013 after Ford revealed controversial plans to move to production to Turkey, leading to the loss of 500 jobs.