More than 600 new jobs are to be created in Coventry with the completion of a multi-million pound deal, which will include a new stadium for Coventry City Football Club.

The jobs will be created by supermarket giant Tesco which is helping fund the project by building one of its biggest stores at the Arena complex in the Foleshill area of the city.

The multi-purpose complex, which will become the new home of the Sky Blues, will also be used for concerts, exhibitions, banquets and community activities.

Money from the deal, signed by Tesco and Coventry City Council, is to be used to fund the development.

'Transform Coventry'

However, it is subject to a number of conditions, which still need to be finalised.

This is one of the biggest single investments in a new store during recent times David Hall, Tesco regional development executive

The flagship Tesco store will create about 600 jobs and the project is seen as vital to the regeneration of the north of Coventry and the city's future prosperity.

Councillor John Mutton, deputy leader of Coventry City Council, said: "The Arena development will transform the north of Coventry and will create jobs and opportunities for local people.

"Local people have been waiting to see some action on the site and from now on it's going to be non-stop action all the way."

David Hall, Tesco's regional development executive, added: "This is one of the biggest single investments in a new store during recent times.

Decontamination experts

"We are very pleased to be associated with this prestigious development and the fact that our long involvement since the early stages of this project will now realise the goal of a new stadium."

A team of decontamination experts is expected to move on to the site next month, to prepare it for construction.

Work is expected to take up to eight weeks.

After that, the steelwork will begin to go up.