BRITAIN'S biggest supermarket chain triggered a jobs rush in Glasgow.

More than 1100 people applied for work at a new Tesco Metro store which is about to open at Knightswood Shopping Centre on Anniesland Road.

The rush saw more than 14 people fighting for each vacancy although dozens of others with a rival employer were also given jobs.

The store will trade in what was a Co-op supermarket which recently closed. Tesco recruited 76 new staff but another 35 were given to former Co-op workers who were invited to switch to the the nation's biggest grocer.

Store manager Alison McBride headed a team of recruiters who whittled down the number of applications before conducting more than 350 interviews.

Three of the jobs were given to disabled applicants.

The selection process was time consuming but Alison said: "It's great that we are able to create jobs and help people get back in to work during this time of economic uncertainty.

"We were overwhelmed by the response to our recruitment drive and we have taken on colleagues in all positions across the store, from team leaders, to check out operators to managers."

The new store cost £3million to refurbish and is due to open before the end of the month.

But supermarket bosses have so far refused to made public the launch date in case there is an unexpected delay.

However, it will trade between 7am and 10pm each day and will stock a range of goods from the latest fashionwear to hot, cooked chickens.

Alison added "My team and I are committed to working hard to provide the best possible service for our customers and playing a positive role within the local community."

The new store is seen as a boost for the area after residents complained to local politicians about the number of bookmakers and money lending shops now operating in the neighbourhood.

There's also hope that the new Tesco store will attract other traders to the shopping centre to help boost the choice of goods and generate more shoppers.

The Knightswood jobs rush is the second in weeks to be triggered by the opening of a new Tesco supermarket.

An Express store in Great Western Road opened in November after more than 1000 people had applied for just 25 jobs - the equivalent of 40 applications for every post.

Like the others the vacancies were posted online and appications were gone through in detail by Tesco management with the help of Job Centre staff.

gordon.thomson@eveningtimes.co.uk