B&Q was today hoping to fill 200 vacancies at its new Blackburn store by staging a one-off recruitment drop-in day.

The Grimshaw Park outlet, due to open on September 30, is looking for staff to fill a range of positions including customer advisers, check-out operators and car park attendants.

The firm is opening a 150,000sq ft unit at the new £30million retail site off Bolton Road and Russell Street.

Job-seekers were being invited to attend the recruitment drop-in day at the Audley and Queens Park Neighbourhood Learning Centre today.

People were able to call in between 11am and 7pm to meet staff from the Neighbourhood Learning Centre and B&Q Human Resources who were there to assist interested parties in applying for the jobs.

Computer and telephone facilities were to be available all day and the Neighbourhood Learning Centre staff were also available to help people use the computers.

There will also be follow-up sessions to help with interview techniques for those people who managed to secure an interview at today's event.

Jamilah Shah, manager of Blackburn with Darwen Council's learning centre, said: "It will be a fun, informal day, with lots of advice and help on hand to help the people of Blackburn with Darwen hopefully secure a position with B&Q. There are a wide range of full and part-time vacancies available."

The jobs are: customer advisers, stock management, greeters and 'farewellers', telephonists, checkout operator, car park attendants, showroom administrator, electrician, plumber, joiner, receiving administrator, demonstrations co-ordinator, twilight and nightcrew replenishment and many more.