Another 400 jobs are to be created in Swindon over the next few weeks. B and Q will be opening at the end of April and 150 staff have been recruited already, with another 150 on the way.

There were 30 new jobs created in Swindon when HobbyCraft opened a superstore arts and crafts chain at St Margaret's Retail Park this month.

Next week the Car Shop Megastore opens at Penny Lane, Drakes Way, which will create at least another 100 jobs, as well as bringing more than 1,000 cars for sale.

It is welcome news, especially after the North Star supermarket supply firm Clares shed a total of 134 employees when it went into receivership recently.

The civic opening of the Car Shop Megastore will be performed by the Mayor, Mike Bawden, on Monday.

The new store is on the eight- acre former EMI CD manufacturing site and it will be the only car supermarket in the Swindon region.

The showroom will be the largest indoor car supermarket in the UK, covering an immense 123,000 sq ft - the size of one and a half football pitches.

It will have more than 1,000 cars and 200 vans on site and it is expected to attract more visitors to the area, as well as providing the new jobs to Swindon.

The megastore's arrival means that Greenbridge becomes something of a motorway haven with Mercedes and Chrysler virtually next door.

After the civic opening there is also to be a celebrity opening in a couple of weeks time when Noel Edmonds is expected to be arriving with his best friend Mr Blobby.

Bosses at the megastore are moving heaven and earth to reunite him with his Noel's House Party co-presenter.

Announcing the celebrity launch event, James Hawley, from the Car Shop, said: "We're delighted to be opening our fourth branch in Swindon and putting to use such a landmark building that has stood empty for four years.

"We're looking forward to coming to Swindon and as well as creating more than 100 jobs we will be contracting out work to local bodyshops.

"As far as I am concerned Noel is a definite for the celebrity opening and we are having discussions with Mr Blobby, but he hasn't signed a contract yet."