SUNDORA, the supplier of dried fruit and nuts in Pocklington, has opened a massive purpose-built distribution centre on the Airfield Industrial Estate at Full Sutton.

And developers believe that it marks the start of a new boom in industrial building in the area.

The 57,000 sq ft project which cost more than £1 million and took eight months to construct is being rented to Sundora on a ten-year lease by another Pocklington development firm, storage specialist builders RM English & Son.

The distribution centre centralises numerous outside stores used by Sundora, including premises in Hull, Pocklington and York and accounts for an estimated eight new jobs.

John Townend, MP for Yorkshire East, officially opening the building, said it would "bring a welcome boost to the local economy."

He said: "It is a highly attractive location which should enjoy steady growth as more businesses seek to relocate to areas which offer easier access to the communications network."

Its racked storage for 6,000 tonnes of goods will house ingredients imported from all over the world plus processed and packaged products made at Sundora's Burnby Lane factory before onward distribution to customers.

Also stored there will be own-label products bound for most UK supermarkets as well as dried fruit snacks and home baking ingredients under the Sundora brand name.

A cold room in the distribution centre can accommodate 500 tonnes and there is an 11,000 sq ft covered loading area. There are also offices and a laboratory in which to test the goods.

RM English & Son, also based on the industrial estate, owns more than 100 acres there, 20 of which are already earmarked for industrial development in the regional strategic plan.

Simon Pocklington, its managing director, said: "This is the first major development at the Airfield Industrial Estate for a number of years and we feel it marks the beginning of further substantial growth, opening up a large new development site alongside the existing business park.

"Full Sutton offers a practical alternative to the estates surrounding York which are becoming increasingly choked up with traffic.

"There is easy access to the motorway network plus the added bonus of direct communications with Europe and all parts of the UK for business people travelling via the adjacent licensed airfield."