Jobs in Kent could be at risk after supermarket chain Morrisons confirmed it is to axe 3,000 management roles.

But the company will also be hiring 7,000 new shop floor staff in a move which will see a net gain of 4,000 staff nationwide.

The chain, which has at least a dozen stores across Kent, says many of the new roles will be on the stores' Market Street counters - which include butchers, bakers and fishmongers.

It says all those staff affected by the reduction in manager roles will be offered alternative employment within the company.

It has not specified which stores will be hit by the changes.

David Lepley, retail director for Morrisons, said: "This proposal means more frontline colleagues improving product availability and helping customers.

"Whilst there will be a short period of uncertainty for some managers affected by these proposals, we will be supporting them through this process and there are jobs available for everybody who wants to continue to work at Morrisons.

"There will also be more roles with greater flexibility that are very attractive to colleagues with families."

It comes just days after rival Sainsbury's announced it too was axing hundreds of managerial positions following the integration of catalogue firm Argos into the business.

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