Forty much-needed jobs will be created when a new hardware store opens in The Harlequin shopping centre in December.

Swedish-based Clas Ohlson is to open its latest branch in the location previously occupied by Zavvi and Virgin Megastore.

There were 450 applicants for the new positions, a clear indicator of the value of jobs during the economic slump.

As an added bonus, the new recruits will be flown out to Sweden for a week of training at the store's headquarters on Monday.

UK managing director Mark Gregory said: “What makes us different is our investment in customer service.

"Our co-workers are our most important asset; our value lies in our customer service.

"We invest in each member of staff and as a result have an excellent staff retention rate – particularly for the retail sector."

The multi-purpose store sells a range of products from electrical and multi-media, to household, leisure and gardening equipment.

Entry into the UK market has been planned for several years and the chain has more than 100 stores across Sweden, Finland and Norway.