Bradford supermarket firm Morrisons today announced plans to create 5,000 new jobs as it delivered record-breaking results.

And the firm's chairman, Sir Ken Morrison, pledged the company would keep its headquarters in Bradford as he announced a 17.2 increase in turnover to £2.97 billion compared with £2.53 billion last time.

Final pre-tax profits for the year ending January 30 were £189.2 million - 11.1 per cent up on last time - compared with £170.3 million a year earlier.

The new jobs will be created as Morrisons opens four new stores this year and six next year, including one in Thornbury, Bradford, and replaces three stores - including Girlington - by the end of 2000.

Sir Ken also dismissed speculation about mergers or take-over bids with a firm stance on independence.

He said: "Despite much speculation to the contrary, we fully intend to maintain our independence and I am personally looking forward with confidence to many more years of inspirational teamwork and solid company growth. We are committed to staying in Bradford and we are looking for a new headquarters in the city."

He said the supermarket chain continued to attract shoppers because it offered good value. "The so-called price wars make good reading but do not always add up to everyday savings for shoppers," he added.

He also praised the hard work of the chain's staff, 22,000 of whom will be rewarded with a slice of the firm's £9.9 profit-share figure for last year - an average of £450 each.

Sir Ken said the company, which celebrated its centenary last year, was keen to expand but was being hampered by planning policy which restricted the firm's chances to gain new sites.

The firm, which now has 101 stores and 33,000 employees, is also acquiring a total of five stores from Somerfield and the Co-op as part of its expansion.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.