APPLICATIONS have been flooding in from people who want to work at celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's new restaurant in Oxford.

Jamie, 32, has bought the former Cock and Camel pub, in George Street, after it was closed by Young's Brewery.

The father-of-two loves Italian food, and is turning the pub into Jamie's Italian, the first of a number he is opening around the country.

The restaurant, which will offer authentic Italian food at an "affordable" price, is due to open its doors in mid-May.

Peter Berry, the chef's spokesman, said: "Applications have been pouring in and we are a couple of weeks away from finalising key staff."

It is not too late to apply for a job, send an email to jobs@jamies-italian.com.

It is not yet known how many staff will be employed.