The group said it would take on up to 20 people at each of its 218 stores across Britain. Most of the jobs will be part-time, providing more staff at check-outs during busy periods.

Customer service is the new priority

"We need more colleagues to meet the every-increasing number of shoppers visiting us at peak times." said chief executive, Allan Leighton.

The big supermarket chains have been in fierce competition to provide better service, with market leaders Tesco and Sainsbury both promising to cut waiting times at check-outs.

Asda itself has been the subject of take-over rumours. Most recently it was linked in with Safeway in speculation that it would form a new supermarket group that could challenge the market leaders .