UP TO 4,000 jobs could be created in Beeston by an enterprise zone, a council leader claimed.

Kay Cutts, leader of Notts County Council, said she was confident the proposed Local Enterprise Zone would be built at the Boots site and boost the economy.

The sites offer incentives for businesses to invest in an area, including temporary business rate relief and Government support to ensure the area has high-speed broadband.

Boots, Nottingham City Council and Notts County Council are working with the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership to develop the site.

Mrs Cutts said: "Notts County Council has long been a strong supporter of Alliance Boots' plans for the redevelopment of their Beeston site.

"We recognise the major potential of both the site and the company to attract new growth and jobs.

"We are firmly behind the company's plans and are working with business and civic leaders to help bring them to fruition.

"Improvements to the A453 and our own financial contribution will directly benefit Alliance Boots' core business and also make the enterprise zone more attractive to investors.

"We are committed to investing in capital infrastructure, such as the A453, which has a direct impact on the pace and strength of economic growth."

She added the development was considered key and said: "We continue to champion the Enterprise Zone at the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership Board, where it is viewed as a top priority due to the significant jobs growth potential.

"Up to 4,000 new jobs could be created on the site, and we will work with Alliance Boots to make sure local people benefit from these opportunities."

The county council said one of the buildings on the Boots site would be an enterprise hub, which could be used for the development of laboratory space for health research companies that could work with Boots in the development of new products.

David Watts, of Broxtowe Borough Council, said the enterprise zone could have a big impact in the area.

He added: "The site has massive potential and could help create thousands of jobs for people in south Notts.

"The centre could become a centre of excellence for beauty products and there may be the prospect of using part of the site for housing too.

"It's an exciting project and it's just a case of working together to unlock the potential of the site."

In August, 11 sites across the country were designated as Enterprise Zones ,including the Solent Enterprise Zone at Daedalus Airfield in Gosport, the MIRA Technology Park in Hinckley and the Rotherwas Enterprise Zone in Hereford.

Speaking about the enterprise zone scheme, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "We are determined to do everything we can to make Britain the best place in the world to start and grow a business.

"These new enterprise zones will be trailblazers for growth, jobs and prosperity throughout the country."

Business secretary Vince Cable added: "These zones will generate new jobs, investment in areas that can benefit, and develop high-tech products that will secure long-term sustainable prosperity."