DISCOUNT supermarket chain Lidl is to open a new store in the Duke Bar area of Burnley, creating around 30 jobs.

The store will be built on the site of the former Texaco garage and part of the Ultra Finishing engineering company premises, off Colne Road and Rylands Street.

Lidl bosses were granted planning permission this week by Burnley Council development control committee.

Bosses at the German-based firm said the scheme would create about 30 jobs at the 1,286sq metre shop, which will be open from 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm on Saturday, and either 10am to 4pm or 11am to 5pm on Sunday.

An 83-space car park will be built on the site, and will also offer free parking for two hours for non-Lidl shoppers.

The proposal involves the demolition of the Bishop's Mill Chimney on the site but, to compensate, Lidl has agreed to pay for a public art project in the area. The council received almost 70 letters and a petition signed by more than 200 people supporting the scheme.

Queensgate ward councillor Darren Reynolds said: "There is overwhelming support for this in the area, and this is one of the most important schemes to hit the ward for many years."

Committee chairman David Halsall said: "This will do nothing but good for the area. It will bring in trade, and no shops will suffer."

But Kay Smith, secretary of the Thursby Gardens Residents' Association, said: "This will lead to the loss of small shops in the area, there will be an impact on traffic, and there are concerns about safety."

The company already has around 300 stores in the UK, including branches in Blackburn, Nelson and Accrington.