SEVENTY workers are quitting Weymouth to move north to fashion giant New Look's new distribution centre in Staffordshire.

The employees are giving up their lives in the resort to take jobs with the firm after it shuts its existing distribution complex in Mercery Road in September.

New Look chief executive Phil Wrigley today said he was thrilled that so many workers were moving with the firm.

But he also vowed to do as much as possible to find employment for other members of the 580-strong workforce from the distribution centre.

And he insisted that New Look's headquarters would remain in town with possible expansion in the pipeline if the retail chain achieves its aim of doubling in size over the coming years.

Mr Wrigley said: "We are delighted that 70 people are so far committed to the move. It is pleasing from our point of view. The more people we can take, the better."

Mr Wrigley paid tribute to the 'work ethic, attitude and team spirit' of staff at the firm. He added: "It would be terrific if we could bottle that and take it lock, stock and barrel with us."

New Look stunned Weymouth and Portland when it announced it was moving its distribution centre to Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire to be closer to motorways and be more centrally-based.

Up to 580 jobs were to go although New Look invited workers to transfer to the new centre, which is the size of nine football pitches.

Many of the employees moving are younger with fewer commitments in Weymouth or have been attracted by cheaper house prices in Staffordshire.

New Look is now working with the council there to supply employees with details of houses, schools and such services as health centres.

Mr Wrigley said a main concern was finding full employment for the remaining staff when the Weymouth plant shuts.

A total of 286 are on skills and retraining courses while others are retiring.

Some employees have already retrained as heavy goods vehicle drivers or intend to launch their own businesses. But Mr Wrigley hoped that many would be employed on the New Look site in Mercery Road if new businesses come in.

He said: "There has been reasonable interest but nothing groundbreaking.

"We are still plugging away."

New Look has vowed to keep its headquarters with 443 staff in the town next to the existing distribution centre and is working with the council on the redevelopment of the site.

Mr Wrigley said that more buyers and designers were being taken on there with potentially more staff in the future but that offices needed to expand.

He added: "There is no plan to move anywhere else. It would be a disaster not to be in Weymouth."

"The simple message is that we are here to stay."