Retail chain Boots is to expand in Ireland, opening three new stores and creating more than 20 jobs.

The company, which opened a new shop in Carrigaline, Cork, this week, also plans to open a shop in Glenageary, Dublin, at the end of the month, with a second premises following in Blackrock in May.

Boots Ireland also said it would relocate its store that is currently in the Ilac Centre in Dublin to a bigger premises in the centre next week.

The company said a total of 26 new jobs will be added to its total workforce as a result of the expansion, with pharmacists, customer assistants and beauty advisors being added at the four stores.

Boots Ireland managing director Richard Bradley said it demonstrated the company's continued investment in the pharmacy and retail sectors in Ireland.