TWO hundred jobs are up for grabs from today at Blackburn's new Primark store.

The fashion chain is a flagship retailer of the new £66million redevelopment at the Mall shopping centre, and more jobs will follow as other stores open.

Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Mike Lee said: “It’s a fantastic employment opportunity for local residents and it’s a sign of what’s to come.

“Hopefully it will have a knock-on effect in the town as more people come in and increase the diversity of what we have to offer.

“The council are hoping that an increased town centre footfall will generate more interest in things like museums and more money for the local economy.”

training and guidance is now being offered to residents in the borough who are looking to take on work in the shopping centre extension.

Bootstrap, Jobcentreplus and Blackburn with Darwen Council are partnering Workroutes, an initiative aimed at helping people overcome obstacles in the way of them working - whether it is child care or training issues.

Candidates will be given retail and customer service skills and an insight into working within the retail sector.

Recruitment for the Primark vacancies will be on-line at www.primark.co.uk and goes live today.

Vacancies at the new store include retail operatives, cashiers, supervisors and weekend staff. Closing date is June 8, 2010.

Once passed on-line screening, applicants will be invited to the a recruitment day in June at Blackburn Rovers Football Club.

The new 68,000 sq ft complex will have 127 stalls, of which 61 will sell food and 50 non food.

In addition, there will be one cafe, plus another nine 'catering stalls' and the rest will be mini shops.

Primark is due to open in August.