RETAILER WH Smith is to create 3,000 jobs and open 120 stores during the next three years.

The newsagent group, which employs more than 20,100 people, will open the stores across the UK, and will move into Northern Ireland for the first time.

A spokeswoman said: "We have identified sites, but it is still too early to say where they are. There is a good chance that some will be in the North-East.

"It's a bold step which will take WH Smith forward and into new areas. WH Smith is a trusted brand and we aim to build on what we already offer our customers."

The expansion plan comes at an uncertain time for many retailers, with thousands of jobs axed worldwide since the September 11 attacks.

However, WH Smith, which has 539 high street shops and 189 stores in rail stations and airports, said it was confident the move would be a success.

"The market research is positive and we are ready to move forward to offer our customers an enhanced shopping experience and more choice," said the spokeswoman.

Most of the new stores will be on the high street and the jobs will be both full and part-time. It will include store managers, assistant managers and cashiers.