EAST Lancashire’s new Dunelm soft-furnishings and homeware store will open today.

At The Peel Centre, Lower Audley Street, Blackburn, it has created 50 new jobs.

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The 35,000 square foot store will be opened by the mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Alan Cottam and Barney Bear, the official mascot for Barnardo’s, the chain’s chosen charity.

The 50 staff have been trained by a partnership of Blackburn College, Job Centre Plus and Dunelm.

The three organisations joined forces to deliver a special ‘Sector Based Work Academy’, with a week of training at the college.

Dunelm chief executive Will Adderley said: “We are always excited about the opening of a new store. It takes a lot of hard work, investment and commitment getting a new store up and running.

“We are confident Blackburn will play a big part in the continued success of the company and look forward to introducing local shoppers to our diverse homewares offering.”