NEARLY 60 jobs will be created at a new discount store, it has been announced.

Wilkinson began recruiting 59 staff for its new 19,000sq ft store in The Gates shopping centre, Durham, today.

A further recruitment event will be held outside the new store tomorrow, from 10am to 4pm.

The store is expected to open at the end of March, creating 31 permanent jobs and 28 temporary posts.

Inge Johnson, manager of The Gates, said: "This is a major store opening for the city and underpins the variety of our offering here at The Gates."

The unit had stood empty since upmarket supermarket Waitrose left in August 2008, with the loss of more than 100 jobs.

Wilkinson will sell home furnishings, DIY materials, decorating goods, toys and games, gardening items and health and beauty goods.