ASDA is taking on 2,000 staff this year at its George clothing division, the group said yesterday.

The retailer said full-time and temporary jobs would be on offer across the 228 Asda stores selling the clothing range.

At least 30 of the jobs created will be on Teesside and in County Durham.

The group, which is owned by US firm Wal-Mart, said half the permanent posts had been filled with recruitment for the remaining full-time and temporary positions expected to take place before October.

The jobs are in addition to staff being taken on at a new clothing distribution centre in Staffordshire.

The announcement came ahead of Wal-Mart's second-quarter figures today