A JOBS rush has begun for openings at a major new supermarket development in Flintshire.

With work progressing well on the lighthouse-themed Morrisons store on Saltney High Street and Chester Road, more than 1,000 people applied for the 250 jobs set to be created at the new store.

The supermarket giant held a two-day recruitment drive last week and was inundated with applicants from job seekers.

Saltney councillor Klaus Armstrong-Braun welcomed the jobs boost and said other traders in the town could benefit from increased footfall.

He said: “It is going to be good for the area, it will mostly be local jobs. The store will have a distinctive affect on the environmental landscape of Saltney.

“It will be a big improvement to the town. Saltney will now be able to get higher quality buildings in the area. I hope we can get more buildings with an art deco style. It will save on travelling costs for residents.”

Work on the 64,000 sq ft store, on the former GT Owen and Bramall Quicks site, is well under way and will include a car park, cafe, petrol station, car wash and could also feature a chemist.

Members of Flintshire Council’s planning committee praised the scheme as they gave it planning permission last July after the former Morrisons store in River Lane, Saltney closed in 2006.

Ian Bettley, owner of GB Signs in Saltney welcomed the return of Morrisons to the town.

He said: “There will be more people coming to the town. I should think there will be a boost to local traders and extra footfall.”

A spokeswoman for Morrisons said: “The new store is creating 250 jobs – we had over 1,000 people at the two-day recruitment event.”

No firm date has been given on when the store is likely to open.