THIRTY-four new jobs have been created as a new food store opens today.

Somerfield are opening a £400,000 store at Blackburn with Darwen services, off junction four of the M65.

The new store is the first of its kind for Somerfield, being in the motorway service area, and will sell fresh foods, snacks, newspapers and magazines and freshly baked goods from the in-store bakery.

Steve Hodgkiss, store manager, said it had been given a modern look, with extra lighting and vibrant colours, giving the store a bright, fresh appearance.

"We are really pleased with our store and I am confident that our customers will feel the same.

"Somerfield aims to be the best local food store offering everything that customers want without the hassle of the large supermarkets. We pride ourselves on our stores being convenient and pleasant places to shop and the new flagship store at Blackburn epitomises both of these values."

It is not the first time the services have been in the news, after the name of the centre irked some Darwen residents.

In 2002 a campaign was launched to scrap the Blackburn Services sign erected on the M65 and name it Darwen instead.

Councillors and residents were upset by the motorway sign after it was confirmed that the site of the new development was actually in Darwen.

A 500-signature petition was signed and the campaign was joined by MP Janet Anderson..