LEADING plumbers' merchants James Hargreaves Ltd will tap into a new market when they open up in Blackburn early next year.

The company's latest outlet will include their modern trade counter facility and first gas fire showroom.

Work is set to start on the 14,000sq ft development at the junction of Whalley New Road and Whalley Old Road within a matter of weeks.

Gordon Rothwell (pictured), managing director, said: "This is a major part of our continuing expansion -- Blackburn will become our second largest operation behind our Burnley Headquarters.

"It marks a new departure for us as we don't have a gas fire and surround showroom at present."

From one outlet in Burnley in 1968, the company now runs 11 branches across the region including Accrington, Clitheroe, Nelson and Skipton.

The managers of the current Blackburn James Hargreaves branch, Gerald Whitehead and Conrad Barnes, will take charge of the new store.