A HOME furnishings firm which is moving into East Lancashire is looking for 25 new staff in Blackburn.

Rectella is due to transfer over 400 employees from Chorley and Atherton to the former Coates Viyella premises in Roman Road.

And it is recruiting around 25 staff in Blackburn, though the figure is expected to rise significantly when the move is completed by the summer of 1998.

The move represents a £5 million investment in the borough and seen as a vote of confidence in the new M65 extension which, it is hoped, will breathe new life into the area's economy. The company, which makes ready-made curtains and bedding, has been assisted in finding employees by Blackburn's Jobcentre.

The Employment Service recently ran a campaign aimed at showing small and medium-sized firms how it can help them find the right people for the job.

Jobcentre business manager Brenda Sweeney said: "One of Rectella's main concerns about the move to Blackburn was the recruitment of machinists locally.

"And this is where we are able to help."

Rectella's management services manager John Gordon commented: "Up to press the Jobcentre at Blackburn has been very efficient and effective.

"We are pleased with what we have seen so far."

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