Supermarket giant plans new shops

Supermarket giant Asda is to create 650 jobs in the west of Scotland with the opening of three new stores, the company has announced.

The new stores will be based in Ardrossan and Girvan in Ayrshire and Wishaw in North Lanarkshire.

The move is part of a major expansion project for Asda, which will see 18 new stores being built throughout the UK.

Asda president Andy Bond announced the news after the release of parent company Wal-Mart's financial results.

The new stores in Wishaw and Ardrossan will encompass a 25,000 sq ft space and create 250 jobs at each site while the store in Girvan will be smaller at 15,000 sq ft and offer 150 new jobs.

Judith McKenna, Asda chief financial officer, said: "This is a major investment which will enable Asda to provide even better service and great value products to more people across the UK than ever before."