EVESHAM has been given a jobs boost as department store Marks and Spencer opens a new shop in the town today.

The 6,500 sq ft store, in Riverside Shopping Centre, Bridge Street, was due to be officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10am this morning.

It has created 50 new jobs in Evesham, with many of the employees being recruited from Evesham Foods, which closed earlier this year.

To celebrate the opening, local radio station Bright FM will air its shows from the branch tomorrow, and there will be a promotion offering free gift vouchers to shoppers who find gold stars in the store.

The new shop is one of more than 100 Simply Food stores in the UK which concentrate solely on the company's food lines. It is one of four new M&S stores opening their doors over the last couple of days, alongside ones in Milton Keynes, Birmingham and Bangor - all featuring new-look interiors comprising black flooring, refrigerators and shelving.

Work began on the former Co-Op building about two months ago and the finishing touches have been made over the past couple of weeks, with the food due to be delivered this morning.

Twenty-three-year-old store manager Anna Goodman - who joined the company from its graduate recruitment scheme - said: "It's extremely exciting to be opening a new store in the town, providing the very best of Marks & Spencer Food in such a convenient location.

"The store is looking absolutely fantastic and is just what the customers here have been asking for."

The shop will stock more than 2,100 food products including ready meals, fresh produce, sandwiches, salads, snacks, flowers and plants.

Shoppers will also be able to choose from a selection of wine, pastries, cakes and crusty breads.

Opening hours are from Monday to Saturday between 8.30am and 8pm; and Sunday between 10am and 4pm.