SUPERMARKET giant Sainsbury's today pledged that scores of workers at its doomed Fareham town centre store would not lose their jobs.

There were fears that nearly 130 posts - including 29 full time - would be axed when the Thackeray Mall store closes in November.

But a Sainsbury's spokesman said: " We want to take everyone down to our Broadcut store."

He said the Broadcut store- less than a mile from the town centre - is being expanded.

The superstore spokesman said: "There are enough hours that need to be filled. We are sitting down with staff and saying 'here are some options'."

As reported in the Fareham edition of the Daily Echo yesterday, Sainsbury's said its Thack-eray Mall branch was not profitable enough to continue trading.

The announcement came out of the blue for shopping centre manager Rhoda Joseph. She said: "It was a complete shock. But, while I didn't know it was happening, I am not surprised."

Town manager George Cantrill said he first heard about the decision when a press release arrived on his desk yesterday morning. Both Mrs Joseph and Mr Cantrill are upbeat about the shopping centre's future.

Mrs Joseph said: " There is no doubt it is good news that we have suddenly got 20,000 square foot of space available. It is an unlikely retail opportunity to raise Fareham's profile.

"I would like to see a department store or a really nice high street fashion name in there."

Mr Cantrill said: "Clearly it is serious because it reduces the choice of grocery shopping. We are sorry to see it happen, but, with Market Quay getting the go ahead, shopping in Fareham is on the increase."

The £30m shopping and leisure complex won approval this week following 20 years of set-backs.