A STAGGERING 600 people applied for just 17 jobs at a new Tesco store.

An average of 35 hopefuls clambered for each shelf-stacking and cashier post at Tesco Express in Billericay.

The branch will open next month in Meadow Rise.

Store manager Martin Leatherdale said he advertised through the Jobcentre Plus to fill the posts.

He said: “We had people of all ages applying. What struck me was the quality of many applicants, with many people with management experience applying for less senior roles.

“In this time of economic uncertainty, it is great that we’re able to create jobs for our local community and help get people back into work.”

Figures show Basildon has a higher-than-average unemployment rate.

The average UK rate for people out of work is 7.7 per cent whereas in Basildon the figure has reached 8.3.

Wickford businessman Steve Haslam, who has just opened the Grand Central restaurant in Miles Gray Road, Basildon, added: “I have never seen so many people fighting for jobs. It’s scary.

Basildon councillor Phil Turner, councillor responsible for finance and resources, called the Tesco Extra jobs surge an unfortunate sign of the times.

He said: “In one way it’s good to see that so many people want to work, but you have to feel sorry for those who didn’t get anywhere. It must be incredibly demoralising.”

The new Tesco will open before Christmas.

Basildon in particular has been hit hard by redundancies with about 3,800 people now claiming Jobseekers’ allowance.