Hundreds of jobs are set to be offered to the long-term unemployed after Tesco bosses began a recruitment drive for the new Accrington store.

The £32 million Eagle Street based Tesco Extra, is due to open before the end of the year, creating up to 500 jobs.

The council and the supermarket giant have signed a Regeneration Partnership, giving priority interviews to those jobless for over six months.

Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "It was part of an agreement we made with Tesco at the time that local people would get the opportunity to get jobs. I am delighted they have honoured that pledge and they are guaranteeing people from this area are granted an interview. That’s extremely good news and will be a boost to Hyndburn because it will put more money in the economy."

With building work well underway Tesco will also contribute over £850,000 towards a landscaped open space and other improvement schemes.

This included a financial contribution towards a new bus station, but this project is now at risk with Pennine Reach being reviewed by the new government.

Councillor Britcliffe added: "There’s money in the pot for the town centre in general, whether or not the bus station goes ahead. It will go towards town centre improvements so whichever way it is spent it will be a boost for Accrington."