Highland nursery jobs advert attracts 900 replies

A JOB advert posted by Highland Council for 140 nursery staff has attracted nearly 900 applicants.

Bill Alexander, education, children and adults services director, said it was a "stunning" reponse and more than half of those who applied were qualified childcare practitioners.

The authority needs the workers to cope with an increase in free childcare hours from August 2014.

All three and four-year-olds will be entitled to 600 hours per year of early learning and childcare from August. The current entitlement is 475 hours.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.