Nigel Adams said Sirius Minerals, the company behind the scheme, has begun trying to make contacts in the Selby area, to tap into lcoal experience and expertise.

The project will create about 600 construction jobs from next year, followed by 1,000 jobs once mining begins.

Sirius will attend the forthcoming Selby Jobs Fair to try to recruit staff.

Mr Adams said: “York Potash is a really exciting announcement. I particularly wanted them to come and I’m delighted that have agreed to start making some contacts in the Selby area which has a history of mining, and there will be people with plenty of experience.”

More than 20 companies are already signed up for the jobs fair and organisers say there will be at least 100 jobs on offer.

Other firms attending include Lytag, Greencore, Drax Power, Riccall Carers, Caddick Construction, and the Heineken brewery in Tadcaster .

Nigel said he had also been speaking with bus companies to help provide transport for workers in Selby who are successful in applying for jobs outside the town. He said: “I have held a meeting with the managing director of Arriva on the back of the jobs fair, about the current lack of bus journeys to suit shift workers from Selby to employment areas like Sherburn-in-Elmet.”