Pub operator JD Wetherspoon is to create 10,000 jobs over the next five years with the opening of 250 new pubs.

The new roles will include management positions together with jobs for bar and kitchen staff.

The company, which currently operates 743 outlets across the UK, is to invest £250 million on the new outlets over the five-year period.

The new pubs will be located across the UK, including Sheffield, Livingston, Leominster, Otley, New Malden, Liverpool, Haverfordwest and Newcastle.

Wetherspoon's chairman, Tim Martin, said: "Our pubs are extremely popular and we wish to build on their success by opening more.

"I am confident that the new pubs will be an asset to their respective towns and cities."