SUPERMARKET Lidl has said it wants to recruit 2,500 workers to start immediately in stores to help cope with the surge in demand due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Bosses said the new positions will be four-week contracts, helping to restock shelves and assist staff.

They added anyone who has lost their job as a result of businesses shutting down over Covid-19 should apply, and will pay £9.30 an hour for staff outside London, or £10.75 in the capital.

The move follows similar announcements from Co-op and Morrisons that they are vastly expanding their workforce to cope with the extra demand of families in self-isolation.

Lidl, which has 800 stores across the country, said: "The new hires will be responsible for working together to keep the store clean, tidy and the shelves well stocked so that customers can get the products they need. Shifts could include mornings, evenings and weekends."

Christian Hartnagel, chief executive of Lidl GB, said: "Our store colleagues are doing an incredible job at keeping our shelves stocked, and serving communities during an extremely challenging period.

"Temporarily expanding our teams is one way we can help support our colleagues and customers, whilst providing work to those that have had their employment affected by the current situation."

Office-based colleagues will also be working from home, and the company will introduce "flexible options including sick pay, holiday pay, advanced holiday pay and mobile working where applicable".