AFTER months of gloomy jobs news, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the growing numbers of unemployed people in Selby.

Council leader Mark Crane confirmed talks were under way with a major distribution firm – and more than 100 jobs could soon be on their way to the district.

The Press understands Leeds-based Clipper Logistics is in final discussions with Selby District Council and that the company wants to open a depot at the former Rosebys distribution centre in Barlby Road.

It is believed Clipper Logistics would work as a third party distributor for a national chain, possibly a supermarket.

Sources close to the negotiations say the council has put together an attractive rate relief programme to clinch the deal.

Coun Crane said: “Over the past two months, I’ve been involved in negotiations with a very large logistics company, who are looking to move to either Selby or an address in Lancashire.

“We’ve given them some very positive reasons to come to Selby. We’re hoping that that will be successful.

“Their location here would mean the creation of over 100 new jobs, from a company that has a good record in training staff.

“It’s a very positive story in the middle of some very bleak ones both nationally and locally in recent months.”

The news was welcomed by Coun Steve Shaw-Wright, Labour’s opposition leader in the district. “If they come to Selby, it’ll be really good news,” he said.

A spokeswoman for Clipper Logistics declined to comment, saying only that the company was “in the middle of a process”.