He recently visited the centre, based on Capitol Park near to the M62 motorway, to see it in operation and find out the kind of jobs that people are employed to do.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council leader Stephen Parnaby, who has played a role in getting the site up and running, also joined the visit.

Mr Cawsey said: "This was my first visit inside the premises and it is only when you are in the centre that you begin to realise the sheer size and scale of the operation.

"The floorspace is enormous and it's all a bit futuristic as workers glide by on electric buggies compiling orders and dealing with incoming stock."

He added: "The logistics of it all are staggering and the way it is all pulled together so that transport in and out is maximised and that stock is handled as efficiently as possible is remarkable to watch.

"It is really a huge team effort and I was grateful to John Higgins the manager of the centre for allowing us to visit and for all his time in showing us around and explaining all that goes on."

He revealed that 650 people currently worked on the site and that there was great interest from other companies about coming to Goole and locating their business at Capitol Park.

M"We have a great site on the edge of the town, next to the motorway, with rail and a port.

"I know all of this was key to both Tesco and Guardian Glass coming to the area and it remains a great selling point to other companies."