THIRTY-seven new jobs are being created at Poundland in Dorchester which opens today.

The discount retailer has taken up the former Wellchester site in South Street.

It was initially due to open on Thursday but the opening was delayed.

Poundland has more than 400 stores nationwide selling a range of products for a pound.

A celebration event will also be held to mark the opening of the new store next Saturday.

Poundland, Europe’s biggest single price discount retailer, said a ‘surprise celebrity’ would attend the family fun day event next weekend. The celebrity will sign autographs and have their picture taken with local fans.

Poundland’s trading director, David Coxon, says: “We are delighted to bring our unique proposition to Dorchester.

“Our current customers love us and we are sure the Dorchester shoppers will too.”

Wellchester, one of Dorchester’s flagship stores, announced earlier this summer that it was to close.

It was originally set up as Wellworths back in 2009 in the wake of the collapse of Woolworths.

Former Woolworths Saturday girl Claire Robertson and her team attracted national publicity as DJ Chris Evans attended the launch.

Manager Claire left her position in June to set up her own consultancy firm and the store announced it was closing the following month.