A bus company, which operates across Lancashire, has a generous job offer for Wilko workers who have lost their jobs following the collapse of the company.

Transdev, which operates buses across the region under brands including The Blackburn Bus Company, The Burnley Bus Company, Team Pennine, Rosso, says it will guarantee job interviews for any former Wilko staff who have been made redundant.

The bus operator is issuing an open invitation to a guaranteed job interview to anyone with a driving licence who currently works at Wilko’s 400 stores – dozens of which will close this week, including branches in Nelson and Burnley.

The offer comes as Transdev steps up its high profile recruitment campaign on buses and on social media, featuring its own teams supporting newcomers with their change of career to become a bus driver.

Transdev training manager Dale French said: “We’re naturally sad to hear the news about Wilko.

"They have stores in many of the communities we serve in Lancashire and Greater Manchester, plus Yorkshire.

“We would like to offer all Wilko colleagues who hold a current driving licence a guaranteed interview for a driving role with us.

"Right now, we have opportunities to join our driving teams at each of our ten operating centres across the North, including three in the North West at Burnley, Blackburn and Rochdale.

“We’ll teach newcomers how to drive a bus, and pay for their training on and off the road. We’re looking for people who love being the best and are ready to make a fresh start – especially those with retail experience who know how to give our customers a friendly welcome, every time.

“In return, we offer a highly competitive pay and rewards package, one of the best in the bus industry, including free travel for you and your partner on our buses and most others across the North – plus discounts on shopping, health and more via our exclusive Transdev Exchange app, and a generous company pension scheme with life cover.

“We present awards and rewards to our best performers, and we offer opportunities to progress and develop into other roles with us through our ‘Step Up’ talent development programme.

"If you’re at Wilko and looking to change direction, we’re keen to meet you to talk about who we are, and what we can offer.”

Family-owned Wilko employed 12,500 staff before it hired administrators early last month after it came under pressure from weak consumer spending and debts to suppliers.

All its stores have continued to trade in recent weeks as it has worked through remaining stock, with the retailer discounting thousands of products.

Last week administrators at PwC confirmed that a number of shops would have to close for good after they were unable to secure a deal which would buy all of the firm’s shops.

Poundland has confirmed it will be taking over the Wilko store in Nelson.

Full details of all current opportunities at Transdev’s operating centres in the North West and beyond are on its website, transdevbus.co.uk.