WORK has started on a new £30 million retail park in Blackburn.

Leading DIY chain B&Q is poised to take the largest unit on the new site, a 150,000 sq ft warehouse, at Nova Scotia Mill, off Bolton Road and Russell Street.

Three smaller units, with a total floorspace of 35,000 sq ft, are being marketed as bulky goods retailers, such as electrical stores and a spokesman for Henry Boot, the site developer, said there had been interest expressed by national names.

Construction work on the development, which will front on to the A666, started this week.

It will be the third retail park to open in the Townsmoor area of Blackburn. Peel Holdings operates the largest site, including Asda, Matalan and Halfords, while a second retail park, Townsmoor, includes Time Computers and Blockbuster.

The decision by B&Q to open in the town centre has been welcomed by councillors and the Chamber of Trade.