Woodie's, the DIY and garden centre chain, will create 100 new jobs with the opening of two new stores in Newbridge, Co Kildare, and Tralee, Co Kerry. This will bring to more than 800 the number of people employed in the wholly Irish-owned chain of 14 stores.

Yesterday, Woodie's chief executive, Mr Ray Colman, said the company was focused on further expansion in key locations in the short to medium term. Some 50 people will be employed in the Newbridge store, which was opened yesterday by the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy. The company says it is engaged in an intensive recruitment drive locally to fill the jobs.

The remaining 50 jobs will come on stream when the first Woodie's branch in Co Kerry opens in Tralee in two weeks time.

Mr Colman said the DIY/home improvement market in the Republic remains buoyant. "These two €5 million development projects add two new stores to our network. We are also spending approximately €1 million annually as part of an ongoing refurbishment and expansion plan for our existing network of stores."

Mr Colman said the chain was looking forward to continued growth in the current year.

"Turnover for Woodie's grew by 19 per cent to €85.2 million in 2001 and we are confident of achieving further growth in 2002. The Irish DIY retailing market is very competitive and we are focused on maintaining our strong position in this market."

Mr McCreevy said he was glad to see that Woodie's was not concentrating just on the Dublin area.