Retail giant Next is to create 150 new jobs in Birstall by moving to a new store three times the size of its existing premises.

Next already has a store at the Centre 27 retail park in Gelderd Road but wants to expand its ranges and add more merchandise for shoppers, so is moving to a vacant unit a few hundred yards away, on the same site.

But concerns have already been raised about the possible traffic increase generated by the new store.

A spokesman for Next said: "There are going to be about 150 new jobs created which is great news for Birstall. They will be right across the board from cashiers to shop floor, managers to warehouse."

The spokesman said Next would be taking on new staff as soon as the new store opened. The new premises will include a larger range of clothes, home products and furniture.

The Centre 27 retail park has become a hugely popular shopping area since it opened, with big names like Gap, Boots, Ikea and high street furniture and electrical retailers all snapping up units. But ward councillors have expressed concern about traffic congestion.

Councillor Robert Light (Con, Birstall & Birkenshaw) said: "There has been great concern about the traffic situation. At Christmas it is chaos up there on a weekend - I daren't go up there anymore and avoid the area at weekends."

He said when the application went before the Heavy Woollen sub-committee for approval councillors deferred a decision for a site visit. "As it draws closer to Christmas it can take up to an hour to get out of the Toys R Us car park," said Coun Light. "We had fears about traffic generation when Ikea expanded but at least it has a large car park and shoppers can get out at the other end of the retail park."

The new store is due to open on Friday, November 21.