A MAJOR Blackburn firm's job creating expansion has been praised across the political divide.

Pet's Choice is to boost staff numbers by 60 after being granted planning permission for a new a new warehouse, industrial unit and shop at its Lower Philips Road base on the Whitebirk Industrial Estate.

Founded in 1987 the firm supplies brands dating back to the 19th century including Davies Dog Food, which begun production in 1881 and Bob Martin, founded in the 1890s.

As Blackburn with Darwen Council planning committee approved the proposal its chairman Cllr Dave Smith said: "It's good for the borough.

"It's a very long established and successful business.

"It's good for the borough and good for the business."

Conservative regeneration spokesman Cllr Paul Marrow said: "I welcome the jobs and that they have the confidence to invest in Blackburn."

The expansion of its site is to accommodate the transfer of production to Blackburn from Germany and France and aims to create 60 new full-time jobs.

Planning permission was granted for the erection of a single storey 120,000 square foot warehouse building with three-storey offices, change of use of the existing packing building to an ancillary retail building.

The use of the shop will tightly controlled by one of 23 conditions on the approval to protect retailers in the town centre.

Only its own products will be for sale when it is open to the public and not being used for staff training or trade display purposes.