NEWS that over 80 jobs will be created when American retailer TK Max opens its latest store in Burnley have been welcomed as a shot in the arm for the town.

The clothes and homes goods store will be situated in one of two retail units in the former Sainsbury's building in Church Street and will open on October 5. The development has been welcomed by the leader of Burnley Borough Council, Stuart Caddy, and Burnley's town centre manager, Lisa Durkin.

The second unit has still not been let. The store, which cost more than £5 million when it was built in 1984, is in the heart of Burnley town centre.

As soon as it closed in April this year, the council decided to split the 47,000sq ft space into two units, making it a more attractive proposition for potential tenants.

A recruitment drive was held yesterday at the Welcome Hotel, Keirby Walk.

Coun Caddy said: "The news is especially welcome in the week after 70 jobs were lost at Cornwell parker on the Network 65 Business Park and 63 were made redundant at TRW Electronics in Eastern Avenue.

"It's wonderful news for the town. I am delighted that they chose to come to Burnley.

"This news confirms that Burnley is moving up in the national league tables for places that people want to come and shop."

Lisa Durkin said: "TK Max was one of our target retailers. I personally have been trying to get them here for the past three years.

"I have been spending the last 12 months trying to find them the right site.

"As well as the creation of 80 jobs, the store will provide much needed custom to shops on nearby Keirby walk.

"TK Max is a destination store, which means that shoppers from outside Burnley will come and have a look around our other shops, including those on Keirby Walk.

Julie Davidson, spokeswoman for the company said: "We were looking for a suitable location to open in Burnley and Church Street has proved to be an ideal site in terms of site and accessibility."

The development of the 11-acre site is seen as the final link in Burnley's retail evolution.