The Co-operative Group is to open a 430,000 sq ft regional distribution centre near Bristol in 2012 as part of the continued overhaul of its supply chain.

The £20m Avonmouth site will serve 400 Co-op stores in Bristol, north Somerset and South Wales.

It will replace existing depots at Chelston, near Wellington, Portbury, near Bristol, and Bridgwater, but staff will be able to transfer to the new site.

The Avonmouth site is the latest regional DC to be announced. In February it revealed plans for a 467,000 sq ft depot in Andover.