DISCOUNT retail giant Wilko has confirmed its new Blackburn store will open early next months.

Work is well ahead for the home and garden shop to welcome the public with the full complement of 49 staff now recruited locally.

The Worksop-based company has taken the 15,700 square foot unit in The Mall Blackburn shopping centre vacated when BHS went into receivership in 2016.

The firm’s national retail director Anthony Houghton has spoken of his excitement and expectations over opening in the town now final legal details have been sorted out.

A Wilko’s spokeswoman said that the new store was pencilled in to open its doors on September 12 provided preparations went to schedule.

She said that all 49 staff had now been employed from Blackburn, Darwen and the immediate surrounding area.

The new outlet, one of several launched by Wilko’s across the UK this year, will sell its full range of value garden, home, health and beauty, decorating, DIY and pet products.

Mr Houghton said: “We are delighted and can’t wait to open our doors in September.

“Having expanded in recent years, Blackburn attracts more than six million shoppers a year.

“We’re confident visitors will be impressed by the breadth of our ranges and the quality of our products.

“Wilko is the one stop shop for everyone looking to update their homes, with a variety of ranges from garden, home, health and beauty, decorating, DIY and pets.”

Loraine Jones, general manager at The Mall Blackburn, has said: “It is fabulous to see the town’s first Wilko store confirm its opening date next month.”

Cllr Phil Riley, Blackburn with Darwen regeneration boss, said: “This is great news.Wilko’s will be real addition to the Blackburn town centre offer.

“When BHS closed it left a large unit which the Mall has filled with a reputable store.”

Founded in 1930 as Wilkinson Stores by J K Wilkinson, Wilko is one of the UK’s largest and best-loved retailers.