Supermarket chain Morrisons is to open 25 new stores in 2012, creating 7,000 new jobs.

The job creation includes taking on another 300 people at its new Bridgwater Regional Distribution Centre.

Among the new job opportunities include craft skills jobs such as butchery, bakery and fishmongery.

According to a press release from the company, typically over 50% of the new employees at a new store were previously unemployed, with three-quarters generally from the local area of the store. The company also insists that building suppliers employ local people.

Norman Pickavance, group HR director at Morrisons, says: “At a time when the number of young and long-term unemployed continues to increase, we will provide opportunities for many people and help them build a career in retailing.

“That means we won’t just be providing a job we’re committed to training our new colleagues so that they have the capability to move from the shop floor to the top floor.

“We feel that the catalyst we are providing is key to moving people from being excluded to being included by providing people with work, dignity and opportunity.”