The consumer electronics retailer Dixons has said it will create 1,000 jobs at sites throughout the UK over the coming year.

The group said more than 100 of the posts would be in London, 200 in the South of England, 150 in the South-East, 120 in the West and Wales, 100 in Yorkshire, 100 in the North of England and approximately 40 in the Midlands.

Dixons said it was also creating jobs at its head office in Hemel Hempstead, at call centres in Nottingham and Sheffield, and in its logistics and distribution division.

"Our continued employee growth reflects the continuing demand for the innovative consumer technologies that we sell," said chief executive John Clare.

Last week the company reported a 7% rise in pre-tax profits for the previous year.

But although profits rose, sales at its stores were flat because of a fall in demand for mobile phones and the sluggish market for personal computers.