That includes 1,400 jobs as it converts One Stop convenience stores to Tesco Express, 2,000 jobs at existing stores and 50 posts at its telecoms unit.

The jobs, which are on top of 10,000 already announced, will expand Tesco's UK workforce to more than 220,000.

But Tesco also revealed plans to switch 350 jobs from the UK to a new centre in Bangalore, India, over the next year.

Unions consulted

The company, Britain's biggest private sector employer, said it would help any member of staff affected by the transfer of jobs to India and consultations with the unions had already begun.

It said the jobs affected were at offices in Dundee, Welwyn Garden City and Cardiff.

Last month, Tesco reported annual profits up 13% to �1.3bn and strong first quarter sales growth of 15% as it continues to steal customers from weaker rivals in an intensely competitive sector.

It is also one of four prospective bidders for rival Safeway whose offers have been referred to the Competition Commission.