TRADERS set out their stalls yesterday to attract employees to a multi-million pound shopping complex.

Thirty firms that will be among the tenants of Dalton Park, Murton, County Durham, attended a jobs fair in the former pit village's Glebe Centre yesterday.

The event, opened by former Newcastle United striker Malcolm Macdonald, highlighted hundreds of jobs with firms such as The Officers Club, Starbucks, Tommy Hilfiger, Adidas, Sole Trader, Book Depot, Claire's Accessories and Toy World.

Durham City JobCentre recruitment consultant Janet Kelly said: "We are delighted with the response to the jobs fair. From the point of view of someone looking for work there were a lot of employers to choose from.

"Similarly the employers themselves were very pleased with the quality and calibre of the people who came along.''

Durham JobCentre staff and the Easington Action Team for Jobs were on hand to give advice and help.

The shopping complex, built on the former Dalton Flatts colliery spoil heap, is due to open in late March and will have 70 factory outlet shops.

Work on an associated leisure development is due to begin next year.