Boots is moving its information technology operation to IBM in a deal designed to save �130m.

The company says the 10-year deal will mean more money can be invested in customer services.

Boots says the workers will not lose benefits, and disruption will be minimal.

Employees will stay in the same building, work on similar projects and still have final salary pension schemes

Francis Thomas, Boots spokesman

Until now, Boots has run all of its computer systems in house.

A Boots spokesman Francis Thomas said: "Information Technology is a huge part of the business.

"The savings made from this deal will be put back into improving the IT services to the public.

"What may seem like a remote change will have a real influence on the customer experience.

"Employees will stay in the same building, work on similar projects and still have final salary pension schemes.

"It's just now their pay cheques will come from a different company."