A BURRITO restaurant is to open in a town centre this week after a successful spell on a market stall.

Knuzden's David Wilcock has reinvented his Blackburn Market 'Hugo Burrito' stall as a new restaurant in Northgate which will open on Saturday.

The new venue will be called 'Hugo's' and six new members of staff are being brought in, taking the total to 11.

The restaurant will be open from breakfast until late and will run a takeaway and evening service.

Hugo Burrito opened a year ago but after success in the market Mr Wilcock has expanded to open at the former Mercer's store opposite David Pluck bookmakers.

Mr Wilcock said almost £100,000 has been spent altogether in getting the restaurant open.

He said: "Over the first 12 months the people of Blackburn have really taken to us and embraced us and we've really enjoyed it.

"We feel the demand is there to bring Hugo to a wider audience.

"We want to carry on with what we're doing but keep expanding and get into the evening market.

"It's been a great local collaboration and we can't wait to get started."

Darwen business Blue Insignia worked on the refit for the shop, while Premier Kitchen Fabrications from Rishton and Parkinson's Signs in Blackburn also helped prepare the restaurant.

The restaurant will be open from 8am on Saturday to showcase its range of breakfast burrito options for the first time.

It will have 25 seats and a license to serve alcohol in an evening, and will specialise in margaritas, daiquiris, tequila and rum.

It will sell largely the same products as the market stall, such as nachos, hot dogs and burrito boxes, with the addition of items such as loaded fries.

On an evening, Mr Wilcock said he is looking to launch a 'tapas menu' offering a selection of Mexican dishes.

The store will continue to source its ingredients locally.

Mr Wilcock is the fifth generation of his family to work in Blackburn Market, with their history with the shopping outlet dating back to the 1800s.

Cllr Phil Riley, regeneration boss for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "He moved in the market to try his ideas and it's been a great success.

"It's a great story.

"I'm very pleased, that area now has a number of bars and eateries."

The store will be open from 8am until 10pm Monday to Thursday and until midnight on Saturday and Sunday.