Footballer Steve Bull stopped off in Tipton earlier this week to congratulate over thirty people helped back to work by Jobcentre Plus at Somerfield’s new forecourt convenience store.

Steve meet with new employees and Jobcentre staff who had managed the recruitment programme for the flagship store in Dudley Port.

Farid Ahmed, manager of the new Somerfield store, said:

"I am absolutely thrilled with the service we received from Tipton Jobcentre and am delighted with the calibre of applicants we had for our vacancies. Somerfield will continue to work in partnership with Jobcentre Plus to recruit the staff required for other stores opening shortly. Their service to employers is second to none and I can’t thank them enough for all they have done and all their hard work."

Jacqueline Gough, vacancy services manager at Tipton Jobcentre, and Alex Turton, aged 11yrs, whose birthday fell on the day of the opening, helped Steve officially open the store. Alex was given a signed football by the star as a special birthday gift.