The UK's second biggest supermarket chain J Sainsbury is to take on 4,000 new employees this year.

The new jobs come on top of 6,000 positions created in November last year, BBC Radio 4's Today programme reported.

The recruitment drive forms part of a three-year business plan designed to close the gap between Sainsbury and market leader Tesco.

"Recruiting high calibre staff in 2002 is an essential part of our plans for growth," said Sainsbury's director of retail human resources Nigel Broome.

The new jobs will be generated through expanding facilities in the company's 458 existing stores, and through opening some new outlets.

Battle plan

Both full and part-time positions will be offered, the company said.

Sainsbury's new jobs drive comes after a period of strong sales growth, marking the start of a fightback after the store lost its number one spot to Tesco in 1995.

In May 2001, Sainsbury reported a �5bn surge in full-year sales to �18.4bn.

The company has pinned its hopes for continued expansion on its business plan, which also includes a nationwide store refurbishment programme.

Sainsbury's employee headcount currently stands at 142,000.

Investors took news of the company's recruitment plans in their stride, marking Sainsbury shares just 1p lower at 383.5p in early trade.

Asda, the UK's third-ranked retailer, last week also unveiled plans to create 10,000 jobs.