SHOP staff have been assured that their jobs are safe after it was announced that the Somerfield store in Torpoint is to become a Sainsbury's.

The Co-operative released a statement this week confirming that contracts had been exchanged and that the Co-operative, the new owner of the Somerfield chain, had sold the store as a going concern. The store was identified by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) as being in breach of competition rules as a result of the takeover.

Sainsbury's hopes to have the new-look store open by the end of the year following a short closure to allow refurbishment. Chris Templeman, head of acquisitions at Sainsbury's, said: 'I am also pleased to confirm that all former Somerfield colleagues will be offered jobs at the new store.

'During the closure period our new colleagues will undergo training in preparation for the opening of the new store.'

Stores in Liskeard and Callington were also identified by the OFT however the Co-operative has so far refused to comment on the future of these stores.

Sainsbury's paid £83m to buy 24 stores from the Co-op, of which 22 belonged to Somerfield. Of the new stores, 19 will be fitted out as supermarkets and the remaining five as smaller Sainsbury's Locals.