TWO plots of land covering 1.3 acres have been sold for £160,000 by Blackburn with Darwen Council for commercial development.

Cllr Andy Kay, council finance boss, hopes the deal with bring jobs to the borough.

The land, of Challenge Way in the Shadsworth with Whitebirk ward, was sold at auction in Manchester with the two lots combined for a single buyer.

It is scheduled for commercial or industrial development in the Local Plan and is part of a strategy by the council of selling to land it owns for job creation.

Cllr Kay, who authorised the completion of the deal, said: “This sale will bring the council a significant capital receipt. I am very pleased with this sale.

“The land went for slightly more than we expected.

“This is about our strategy careful management and sale of land owned by the borough.

“The two plots, of 0.7 and 0.6 acres, are zoned for commercial and industrial development.

“It will raise cash for the council but more importantly it will hopefully allow the creation of new jobs in Blackburn with Darwen.”

The land, between Whitebirk Drive and Blakewater Way, is a part of key commercial and employment site.