MORE than 2,500 people have applied for 114 new jobs as a giant supermarket prepares to open its doors.

The new Tesco Extra store opens on the former Consett steelworks site on Thursday, October 24.

A total of 157 staff will transfer from the company’s existing supermarket in nearby Delves Lane, joined by 114 new staff, including full-time and part-time workers, recruited over the last few weeks.

Tesco says it received more than 2,550 applications for the new posts and interviewed more than 400 candidates.

Store Manager Gary Ewart, who started his career with Tesco 29 years ago as a customer assistant in the music records department, said: "I was thrilled by the response we received to our recruitment drive.

"There were so many great applicants which made the decision very tough when it came to selecting the successful team."

New recruits are currently being trained at other nearby Tesco stores to ensure they are ready when the doors to the new store open.

The new store will be open round the clock Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 4pm in Sunday, while the store’s filling station will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.