Asda is hoping to take on 7,000 extra seasonal staff for the Christmas period in a £5m recruitment drive that kicks off next month.

It was looking for extra shop floor staff, home delivery workers and customer service personnel, including specialist in-store hosts, it said this week.

Jobs would be available at stores across the UK from September and would be advertised at www.asda.jobs, with successful applicants starting their roles from November.

Asda is also offering 750,000 hours overtime to existing staff to give them the opportunity to earn extra cash for Christmas.