FOOTWEAR firm Clarks is to open a new manufacturing unit at its headquarters in Somerset, creating up to 80 jobs in the process.

The facility in Street will have the capacity to produce 300,000 pairs of the retailer's Desert Boots, and will apply "robot-assisted" technology to specific shoe constructions for the first time.

The move will see the creation of up to 80 technical and managerial jobs in Clarks Village, where shoe manufacturing was first started by the company nearly 200 years ago in 1825.

Desert Boots are currently made in Vietnam and India, and Clarks said it will continue to source its range from its existing supply chain.

Clarks now plans to roll out similar production units in other locations across the US, Europe and Asia in the next few years.

Chief executive Mike Shearwood said: "We are delighted to be bringing shoe manufacturing back to the UK and creating a significant number of highly skilled jobs."

Mr Shearwood added: "The 21st century craftsmanship that we are introducing will also lead to and encourage innovation in shoe design. It will be transformative to the process of how we design and develop shoes."

With a turnover of £1.7 billion, Clarks operates retail, wholesale and franchise units in over 100 markets worldwide.