London 2012: New Millennium Stadium staff to speed queues

More than 100 extra staff are being recruited to help speed up queues for security checks at Olympic events in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

The venue will host London 2012's first Olympics action on Wednesday.

Cardiff council said it began recruitment among its own staff at the end of last week after a request from Olympic organisers Locog.

The council emailed staff appealing for anyone interested in the posts at a rate of £8.50 an hour.

The spokesman said the posts were desirable but not essential and were the result of a shortage in staff provided by security firm G4S at Olympic venues.

A council spokesman said successful candidates would be given the title of "diversion bag distributor".

Among their tasks, the staff will hand out plastic bags for people to place their possessions in before they pass through security scanners.

The authority said it had received more than 400 applications and was currently processing them.

It said successful candidates will be informed by Tuesday - 24 hours before the opening event, a women's football game between Team GB and New Zealand.

Last weekend it was revealed that more police officers would be drafted in to provide security around the stadium and other Cardiff venues used by Olympic athletes.

That announcement followed talks between South Wales Police and London 2012 organisers Locog.