A new Waterstones bookstore has opened in The Mall Blackburn over the weekend.

Customers shared their excitement as they attended the opening of the book shop on Saturday (July 29).

The store is located inside where the former WHSmith shop used to be and is the only dedicated book shop in the town.

Hannah Rimmer, bookshop manager at the Waterstones Blackburn store added: “We are absolutely delighted to return to Blackburn with our brand-new bookshop, which will be a great destination for local readers.

“Children’s reading is a particular passion of ours and we are looking forward to welcoming families and young readers to our beautiful children’s department.

“With this in mind, we are very happy to confirm that The Gruffalo will be attending our launch event on Saturday 5th August at 11am.

“We cannot wait to share all the wonderful new publishing with our local community; there is nothing quite like visiting a bookshop and discovering your next favourite read!”

Several eager readers turned up for the store’s first day and were excited with the brand new store.

One shopper said: “I visited with my two children and they loved it. There’s even a little Harry Potter section where I spotted a couple of things for Christmas.”

Another said: “Looking forward to having a decent bookshop again in the town.”

The store will have its official opening on Saturday (August 5) with a storytelling session featuring The Gruffalo.

Fans of the furry brown creature will be able to hear him tell his tale from 11am in the bookshop’s huge children’s department.

From the latest releases to classic favourites, the store is packed with books for every literature lover and it also has a range of gifts, games, cards and wrapping paper.

Loraine Jones, general manager at The Mall Blackburn, said: “The new Waterstones store looks absolutely fabulous; it is wonderful to welcome them back to Blackburn!

“We can’t wait to see The Gruffalo this Saturday to tell the award-winning rhyming story of a mouse and a monster that has found its way into the hearts and bedtimes of children across the world.

“With the weather forecast set to be dreary for the foreseeable future there is no better way to while away a wet weekend than with a great book!”

Waterstones in Blackburn is open seven days a week, from 9.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm Saturday and 10am to 4.30pm on Sunday.