Waitrose is recruiting for about 170 new jobs which will be created when its new Malmesbury branch opens later this year.

And it says the store will generate more than £1m a year in wages for the area.

Successful applicants will become 'partners' in the John Lewis Partnership, the UK’s largest and oldest example of employee ownership.

All employees will be entitled to benefits including shopping and leisure discounts, leisure and learning subsidies and a share in profits in the form of an annual bonus.

This year saw existing Partnership staff receive 15 per cent of their annual wage in bonus, the equivalent of approximately eight weeks' wage.

A spokesman said Waitrose expects to generate more than £1m a year in wages and bonuses at the new branch.

Jobs are being advertised at www.jlpjobs.com and recruitment will close on Sunday, May 25.

Waitrose is also working with the Malmesbury branch of the Jobcentre Plus to provide interview opportunities for local unemployed people.

Interviews for jobs will take place in Chippenham.

The jobs include a combination of full and part-time roles for supermarket sales assistants, and the branch will also be recruiting for two apprentices.

Work has already begun on the Malmesbury site with the metal framework having been put up. The floor is currently being laid.

Nigel Keen, Waitrose director of development, said: "The programme is really starting to take shape now and we cannot wait to become part of the Malmesbury community.

"We are pleased to be in a position where we can create jobs for local people and invest in their training.

"We pride ourselves on ensuring our shops have a local identity and that starts with the staff we employ - we look forward to welcoming those successful candidates to our business."