Retailer WH Smith is to create 3,000 jobs and open 120 new stores over the next three years.

The group, which currently employs more than 20,100 people, 1,500 of them in Swindon, will open the stores across the UK, and will move into Northern Ireland for the first time.

A spokeswoman said: "It's a bold step which will take WH Smith 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 across the world since the September 11 attacks.

But WH Smith, which currently has 539 high street shops and 189 stores in railways 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 but the company will be looking to build on sales of shopping experiences where customers can buy gifts such as rides in racing cars or trips in helicopters.

The new jobs will be both full and part-time positions, and will include store managers, assistant managers, supervisors and cashiers.

The company recently opened a new store in Fort Kinnaird, Scotland, which introduced a number of innovations including a coffee shop, postal and gift wrapping services and a state of the art audio-visual equipment allowing customers to try before they buy.