Since Matalan advertised jobs for its new cut-price clothing store in Darlington, the town's JobCentre has received more than 900 requests for applications for 111 positions, 92 of them part-time.

The new store is located in Neasham Road, on the former Morrisons site.

A JobCentre spokesman said: "Staff have been surprised by the level of response as they find sales vacancies in Darlington generally difficult to fill."

Later in the year between 60 and 80 jobs will be created with the development of a Brewsters and Travel Inn at Morton Park, Darlington.

A recruitment day will be held at the JobCentre on Saturday, September 14, between 10am to 4pm.

Anyone interested in Matalan vacancies can call the JobCentre on (01325) 554856.