Thousands of Christmas jobs are up for grabs at Debenhams stores – including 280 temporary posts in branches across the West Midlands.

The retail giant is looking to fill 9,000 temporary vacancies across its 160 outlets, including those in Merry Hill, Walsall, Kidderminster and two in Birmingham, at the Bullring and The Fort, just off the M6.

Debenhams said today it would be taking on around 56 temps in each of its stores.

Although the number of positions has increased compared with previous years, the number of hours on offer remains the same because of the rise in part-time roles.

Debenhams deputy chief executive Michael Sharp said: “Our recruitment drive is so huge that for the first time we have trained a manager in all 160 stores to oversee staffing at Christmas.

“We are recruiting directly through our website and looking for energetic people with a talent for customer service.”

Contracts will be for flexible working hours with the majority of positions running from November through to January.

Mr Sharp said temporary staff would also benefit from a Debenhams discount.

Elsewhere Black Country-based discount chain Poundland is taking on 2,000 staff nationally, including hundreds of staff at its depots in Bilston and Willenhall.