LIDL has become the latest supermarket to launch a recruitment drive as it struggles to deal with the increased demand from shoppers during the coronavirus crisis.

The discount supermarket is taking on around 2,5000 temporary staff across its 800 stores nationwide with wages starting from £9.30 an hour.

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That's the pay rate recommended by the Living Wage Foundation, with Lidl confirming those within London's M25 will be paid a higher £10.75 in London.

Both pay rates are more than the government's national minimum wage.

National minimum wage currently stands at £8.21 an hour for those aged 25 and over. It's less for younger workers.

Lidl's new roles are for stock assistants on a four-week fixed term contract to start immediately.

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Shifts could include mornings, evenings and weekend and new hires will be responsible for keeping stores clean and tidy, and the shelves well stocked.

Visit Lidl's careers website to apply for one of the new roles.

In addition to creating new temporary jobs, Lidl has given colleagues in office-based roles the opportunity to work in store to help provide extra support.

Lidl currently employs 24,500 staff across England, Scotland, and Wales.

Christian Härtnagel, chief executive at 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, while providing work to those that have had their employment affected by the current situation.”

Earlier this week, Co-op also hired 5,000 more temporary and permanent staff to meet coronavirus demand.

Morrisons also created 3,500 jobs to help expand home deliveries to get groceries to vulnerable people.

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