A WORCESTER supermarket has announced that up to 50 jobs have been created, days after news that up to 700 jobs at Kays hang in the balance.

Yesterday, the structural work to the new extension at the Tesco superstore in St Peter's Drive, St Peter's was completed, creating vacancies for checkout personnel, security and Tesco.com staff.

The new 4,000 square foot extension has increased the size of the store to 42,000 square ft, employing a total of 480 people from the Worcester area.

Andy Sanderson, store manager, said: "The new jobs that have been created with the extension will enable more local people to enjoy a successful and fulfilling career with Tesco.

"We offer a complete and comprehensive training programme to support both full and part time workers as well as the added convenience of flexible working hours."

Tesco has thanked customers for their patience and loyalty during the construction work.

Mr Sanderson added: "We have listened to our customers throughout all stages of the building work and thank everyone for sticking by us through the extension.

"Now that the disruption is over, and the car park and the non-food section of the store is ready, we hope our customers like the improvements we have made to the store."

The extension will enable a wider choice of food, clothing, cookery and electrical equipment and other products for the home to be offered.

With two weeks to go before the newly extended store officially opens, all of the vacancies have been snapped up.

Tesco announced that the recruitment programme was a huge success, with more than 140 applications received.

The official opening ceremony will be on Monday, October 3.