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Retailer Amazon says it is to create more than 1,500 new jobs by opening a new packing centre.

The new "fulfilment centre" in Tilbury's dock area in Essex will be equipped with robotic arms which bring products to staff.

It will be part of the London Distribution Park When it opens in 2017.

Thurrock Council, which granted for the centre, said it was "delighted" by the move.

John Tagawa, Amazon's Vice President of UK operations, said the new centre would help the company "continue to expand product selection" and "support more third party sellers including small businesses" by dispatching goods on their behalf.

Mark Coxshall, the council's regeneration portfolio holder, said the project had been months in planning and hoped it would "act as the catalyst to secure investment in transport links" and "improve the local environment".