Close to 1,000 jobs could be created if a clothing company's business plans come to fruition.

Next Plc has bought the land north of Dowding Way in Waltham Abbey.

The retail giant plans to build a regional service centre at the site, which would distribute good alongs the M25 to outlets such as those on Epping High Street and Epping Forest Retail Park.

The company says the facility represents a £40m investment in the area.

The plans also include a second phase of development which will provide further employment and training opportunities for locals.

A planning application for the site will be submitted 'shortly', with a presentation to be held at Waltham Abbey Town Hall at 7pm on May 15.

A Next plc spokesperson said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for Next to open a new Regional Service Centre to support future business growth.

"This significant investment will allow us to further strengthen our Distribution and RSC Network and provide a potential third site in London and the surrounding area.”

The hybrid planning application would deliver up to 80,000m2 of employment space at the Waltham Abbey site if approved, with as many as 950 new full-time positions created once business is in full swing.

Next Plc has said the project would require 100 full-time workers to be realised and would contribute as much as £1.7m in annual business rates contributions.