CELEBRITY chef Jamie Oliver has spoken for the first time about his plans for a new restaurant in Oxford - and is looking for staff to help him run it.

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

The father-of-two, who grew up in his parents' pub in Essex, loves Italian food, and will transform the pub into Jamie's Italian, the first of a series 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 early to mid-May.

Mr Oliver, 32, said: "I want to give the best service to Oxford, so waiters, managers, bar staff, cleaners and pot-washers - if you're fantastic, enthusiastic and keen to learn, then we'd love you to be part of this exciting new project.

"After all the years of working with suppliers, growers, farmers and then learning from the British public, I wanted to create a local restaurant that is classy, reliable and inspired by what people want - good, tasty food.

"Having grown up in the industry it's so exciting for me to now tackle the issue of fantastic high street dining.

"When people eat at a Jamie's Italian I want them to really get into the food, maybe try something they wouldn't normally try, but always be safe in the knowledge that they're eating good stuff, prepared with love.

"My mentor, Gennaro Contaldo, the 'Italian Stallion', has been working side by side with me on the menu and the staff training and so it'll all be completely authentic, rustic Italian grub."

The first restaurant was due to open in Bath but speedy construction work in George Street means it will now open first.

Simon Blagden, Jamie's Italian managing director, added: "These will be the sort of restaurants that you could just as easily use every week for a casual business lunch, or pop in of an evening because you happen to be passing."

During his rise to fame, Mr Oliver worked for Rose Gray and Ruth Rogers at London's River Café, which serves modern Italian dishes, and also learned tricks of the trade from Antonio Carluccio at the Neal Street Restaurant.

Mr Oliver has also launched a campaign to ban unhealthy food in British schools and his efforts were chronicled in the TV series Jamie's School Dinners.

To apply for a job, send an email to jobs@jamies-italian.com It is not yet known how many staff will be employed.