Discount retailer, Poundland, has hired 962 former Wilko employees, as it continues to convert Wilko's former locations.

Poundland has taken on 826 former staff to work in the 64 stores it has re-opened, as well as 122 staff who have become store managers or assistant store managers in its other stores, as reported by Retail Gazette.

It has also hired 14 ex-Wilko employees at its main customer support centre in Walsall.

Poundland acquired 71 former Wilko leases from the administrator in September. It plans to open more new stores in the remaining units next year.

The retailer said it is pleased to have made such a difference to hundreds of people who would otherwise have been left unemployed and is grateful the Wilko staff chose to continue their careers at Poundland.

Earlier this week, Poundland's owner, Pepco Group, reported a 35.8% fall in profits, despite a big rise in sales for Poundland.