TEN workers have been sacked after stock allegedly disappeared at a flagship supermarket depot near Selby, the Evening Press can reveal today.

The ten men are accused of "misappropriating" company property at the distribution depot run by Excel on behalf of supermarket giant Somerfield.

Seven of the ten appealed and one was successful in getting his job back. Three chose not to appeal and the other six cases are pending.

The £38 million giant warehouse, opened last year on the Sherburn industrial estate, supplies stores all over the north-east of England.

A source close to the company said Excel management had launched a major investigation after goods, including cigarettes, appeared to have gone missing.

The investigation revealed a number of alleged stock discrepancies and ten employees were dismissed.

The warehouse, which services both Somerfield and Kwik Save stores, employs about 850 people and handles chilled and frozen food as well as dry products. It operates 24 hours a day every day of the year, apart from Christmas Day.

An Excel spokeswoman confirmed today that following "misappropriation of company property" at the Sherburn site, ten employees had been dismissed.

She added: "We have very rigorous stock-taking procedures, as a result of which discrepancies were found.

"Excel is working closely with Somerfield to resolve any potential discrepancies that have been identified."

She said that operations had not been affected and business continued as normal.

The spokeswoman also confirmed that security had been stepped up since the alleged misconduct -"as much to protect the staff as anything else."

The sacked workers are members of the Transport and General Workers Union.

A TGWU spokesman said there was "an on-going fight" involving several of the sacked employees and they were taking legal advice on possible tribunal cases.

A Somerfield spokesman said: "It's obviously a concern, but if Excel feel the action it has taken is appropriate for the operation of its business, we would support that.

"We have been very satisfied with the company and the way the Sherburn depot is operating."

Updated: 14:23 Tuesday, November 27, 2001