SUPERMARKET group Asda has unveiled plans to create a 10,000-strong seasonal squad of workers to handle the Christmas shopping rush.

The group, which is owned by US store group Wal-Mart, said it is creating a pool of what it describes as "permanent" positions for people such as the over-50s looking to work as little as 10 weeks a year.

The recruits will be permanent staff, but with a contract to work an annual, rather than weekly, number of hours.

Asda said it hoped the move will help it find a long-term solution to what it describes as "the perennial problem of recruiting and losing valued temporary staff".

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

"Asda's Seasonal Squad provides a real alternative to those looking for truly flexible working packages."

The jobs are designed to cover Christmas and other busy times of the year like Easter and the summer school holidays.

They will include roles such as customer "greeters", porters, checkout operators and warehouse workers.

As well as guaranteed seasonal work, the workers will also be able to take year-round advantage of regular staff benefits including the group's staff discount card, share scheme, holiday pay and annual performance-related bonus.

The group is particularly hoping that the scheme will attract more staff aged over 50.

Updated: 10:05 Tuesday, October 28, 2003