A supermarket giant is hiring hundreds of staff ahead of the Christmas rush.

Waitrose says it is looking to recruit 900 people in the south east, as part of a nationwide drive to hire 5,000 people to help it deal with the traditional festive surge in shopping.

A spokesman confirmed vacancies would be available at all of its Kent stores.

The full-time and part-time positions cover a variety of roles throughout the business, including supermarket assistants, food service assistants and customer delivery drivers.

Roles will be filled throughout November and December in the run up to Christmas.

Jo Walmsley, personnel director at Waitrose & Partners, said: "Christmas is our busiest time of the year. We’re looking for people who can help us deliver the fantastic service our customers know and love us for. We look forward to welcoming people into our team across the country.”

It follows hot on the heels of a similar recruitment campaign by rival Sainsbury's.