BT is set to open a state-of-the-art customer call centre in the town centre next month, creating 300 jobs.

The telecoms giant announced the deal earlier this year after negotiating with Lancashire County Council to occupy offices at the Globe Centre on St James Square.

BT said recruitment is going strongly and they currently have 74 job offers filled.

Tony Chanmugam, BT's chief finance officer, said the company was delighted to be bringing more jobs to east Lancashire.

He added: "We have a great relationship with the local authority, which is helping us set up a new contact centre in an area where we wanted to be with committed people who have the right skills to help our customers."

A BT spokesperson added: "We continue to see strong interest in the positions. The first advisors will join BT and enter training at the beginning of October and the first tranche of recruitment will continue for at least the next six months.

“The centre will be open for advisor training from the beginning of October."

Hyndburn council leader Miles Parkinson said the BT jobs were "really good news" for the borough as it struggles with rising numbers of jobseekers.

He added: "BT is a major player and we need to attract these kind of blue chip companies to the area. Hopefully it will expand in years to come."

The opening of the centre follows the closure of holiday company Sitel's call centre which was based at the Globe before it closed last year with the loss of 250 jobs.