1,800 go for just 25 jobs at ex-Woolies.

Byline: ELLEN BRANAGH

AN open day for 25 jobs at a new shop opening in a former Woolworths store saw more than 1,800 people turn up to battle for work.

Discount store QD is due to open in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, later this month in a unit left vacant when Woolworths closed.

The Norwich-based retailer organised an open day at the Hind Hotel in Wellingborough to find staff for its 25 posts.

But bosses did not expect the 1,800-strong turnout at yesterday's event, who snapped up every application form and eventually were sent away to download one.

The company is holding recruitment days to interview hopefuls for the coveted positions, which include sales assistants, supervisors and cashiers.

A spokeswoman said crowds were queuing up three flights of stairs in the Hind Hotel to wait for a form.

She said usually QD tries to interview everyone who completes an application form but if as many people return today as turned up yesterday, it may not be possible.

The situation echoes a similar scene in February at Twycross Zoo in Warwickshire, where thousands of people turned up at a recruitment day to find seasonal staff.

More than 3,000 people turned up at the event, which previously attracted just 500, hoping to get one of 150 jobs on offer.

Yesterday a QD spokeswoman said a combination of reasons may have led to the huge influx of people at yesterday's open day, including the recession and the closure of the town's branch of Woolworths.