WEBBS of Wychbold has launched a recruitment campaign to increase its workforce by 94 staff as part of its £5m expansion.

The award-winning garden centre embarks on the first phase of recruitment, which in time will see the total number of employees increase to around 350.

The current vacancies include permanent positions within the expanding garden centre and also in new areas such as the food hall - specialising in local produce - which is due to open in early March.

Building work is well underway to add an extra 64,000 sq ft of new covered retail space - trebling the existing area and making Webbs Britain's largest independent garden centre.

Webbs customers have been able to watch the massive steel structure of the extended area grow over the last few months, and a large part of the roof is now also in place. Redesigned and new departments within the existing space will open from March, with the new extension ready for visitors by mid-summer. Managing director Ed Webb said: "It's fantastic that now we are in 2006 we will be opening the first new part of the project within a matter of weeks.

"The food hall will be a wonderful addition - we've been in fruitful talks with local and regional growers and suppliers, for example of fresh fruit, vegetables, cheeses and wines which will form the core of the department. They are keen to work with us, and look forward to helping boost a strong local economy."

Mr Webb added: "We are a family-owned firm which looks after its workforce. We are looking to recruit people who will enjoy dealing with our visitors - we had more than a million last year - and have an enthusiasm for retailing. We are also particularly looking to fill some specialist roles such as assistants in the aquatics and fish and garden plants departments."

Anyone interested in the positions can call the recruitment line on 01527 860007 for an information pack. The return date for the first phase of job applications is Monday, January, 23, 2006.