MORE than 300 seasonal jobs are up for grabs in the regional stores of high street giant Marks & Spencer.

A recruitment drive is under way at the retailer's flagship store in Hedge End, as well as Winchester, Fareham, Southampton, Andover, Salisbury and Chichester.

A "simple" 20-minute telephone interview will be carried out with prospective workers in readiness for the Christmas shopping rush.

Area manager Bruce Srang said: "Marks & Spencer is an amazing place to be in the run-up to Christmas, but that doesn't mean it is easy.

"We need people who can build an instant rapport with customers no matter how busy the store, and who will be flexible enough to support their colleagues in whatever way necessary.

"We want the best team in place, fully trained and raring to go before the rush begins."

In return for being prepared to work at least one evening a week and at weekends, the company says it will provide a competitive benefits

package, including a Christmas discount card.

To apply for a seasonal position, ring 0845 309 6007.

Meanwhile, supermarket chain Asda is set to create 10,000 new permanent positions in the UK for people looking to work as little as ten weeks a year.

The new "seasonal squad" recruits will be permanent colleagues, but with a contract to work an annual, rather than weekly, number of hours.

They will be entitled to a range of benefits, including discounts.

Jobs are designed to cover the busy times of the year, like Christmas, Easter and the school summer holidays, and will range from greeters to porters, checkout assistants to warehouse workers.

Asda, which will save money through a downturn in labour turnover and costly training, says it is also keen to recruit more people over the age of 50.

Retail people director Caroline Massingham said: "We recognise that people are looking for flexibility across the working year, not just the working week."