Online giant Amazon has confirmed plans to open a huge warehouse near Manchester Airport creating up to 1,500 jobs.

The M.E.N. revealed in December that the world’s biggest internet retailer planned to occupy a 250,000sq ft warehouse under construction at the Airport City industrial park.

Today Amazon confirmed the move which will bring 1,000 jobs in three years plus the the potential for 500 more jobs at peak times.

Announcing that it’s ‘fulfilment centre’ will open in the autumn, Amazon’s vice president of UK operations John Tagawa said: “We are excited to open our first fulfilment centre in the north west of England, creating 1,000 new permanent jobs over three years with competitive wages and comprehensive benefits starting on day one.

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“We are proud to continue to add new permanent jobs to grow our dedicated and enthusiastic workforce who play a crucial role in delivering a first rate level of service for our customers.”

The company, which has come under fire for the amount of tax it pays, is also opening a warehouse in Leicestershire, at the same time.

It will employ 14,400 people at its twelve UK warehouses and in other areas of the business by the end of 2016.

As part of its Manchester venture, the firm will be recruiting operations managers, engineers and ‘associates’ who handle the orders as well as people to fulful roles in HR and IT.

Permanent staff will start on a minimum £7.20 per hour.

The investment represents a massive boost for Wythenshawe whose residents will take many of the jobs.

MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East Mike Kane said: “This is fantastic news for residents of Wythenshawe and Sale East. 1,000 new permanent jobs over three years will open up new opportunities for many people in my constituency. This investment is another big step in the renaissance of Wythenshawe.”

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As well as creating more jobs in its UK warehouses, Amazon says it is also planning to hire up and down the country at its head office, research and development centres, customer service centres, its fashion photography studio as well as at is web services and data centre arms.

The company says it has invested more than £4.6bn in the UK economy since 2010.