The supermarket chain Asda says it is creating 2,000 new jobs in its George clothing division.

The company said the posts would be split equally between full-time and temporary workers and would be across the 228 stores which sell the clothing range.

The group, which is owned by US firm Wal-Mart, said half of the permanent recruitment has already taken place with the rest of the staff due to be recruited before October.

Asda said the jobs were in addition to workers being taken on at a new clothing distribution centre at Limeade, near Newcastle-under-Lyme in North Staffordshire.

Boosting profits

Figures published by Wal-Mart on Tuesday showed that sales of Asda's George range grew by 30% in the three months to the end of July.

The brand was created by the former Next designer George Davies, who now supplies the Per Una range of young fashion for Marks & Spencer.

Asda is trying to increase sales of its clothing range and other non-food goods to improve its profit margins.

It has already installed new rails and hangers in its stores so that it can stock more clothing.

In January Asda announced it would be creating 10,000 new jobs but a spokesman said the company had already exceeded that number.