THE festive season has created 90 new jobs at a Bolton shopping centre.

Stores at Crompton Place have taken on an army of Christmas temps to help with the busy run-up to the big day.

Primark has recruited 30 Christmas temps, New Look and Boots both have 20, BHS has taken on 10 new workers and a number of other stores have also created extra roles.

Malcolm Angus, Crompton Place manager, said: “A busy shopping centre like Crompton Place needs extra staff to cope with the festive rush and it is great to see our stores creating a burst of new jobs at what is an expensive time of year for people.”

One of those looking to make the most out of her seasonal job opportunity is Alison Halliwell, aged 49, of Westhoughton, who is hoping her Christmas temp job at BHS in Crompton Place will act as a springboard back into the world of work.

Mrs Halliwell spent her early career as a hairdresser before moving into the retail business and becoming a manager for a department store.

She had short career breaks after giving birth to her first two sons, Adam, who is now 27, and 24-year-old Sam.

But 13 years ago, when she had her third son Cameron, she decided to take a longer spell away from work to look after him.

She said: “After looking after Cameron for 13 years I decided that now he is old enough to look after himself a bit more, it was time to do something for myself.

“I heard BHS was taking on temporary workers for Christmas and I put my toe in the water. Luckily, I got the job and I’m now working part-time at the Crompton Place.”

The Crompton Place store’s commercial manager Charlotte Webster started as a temp at BHS in Warrington over the festive season eight years ago.

Ms Webster said: “A lot of people you speak to in the company tell you that they started as a Christmas temp and I’m one of them.

“I loved working at the store and because I enjoyed it so much I decided to make a career out of it.”