A MAJOR protest has prompted a company to pay thousands of pounds to change the name of its new store from Blackburn to Darwen.

Bestway cash and carry, planned for Lower Eccleshill Road, will now be named after the town in which it is sited.

Bosses at the London-based firm admitted they had made a mistake naming it Blackburn Bestway.

Farhat Abbas, company marketing executive, said: "We can see that people in Darwen are very passionate about this subject and their opinions mean a lot to us.

"We had most of our letterheads and leaflets printed but it's worth paying for the change if it will make the customers happy."

Managers would not reveal the cost but said the bill had run into the thousands.

Councillors are now hoping for a U-turn from Highways Agency bosses on the M65 Services sign.

Councillor Dave Smith, Sunnyhurst ward, said: "It's very good news and it's good to see that they have listened to the Darwen people. Lets hope the Highways Agency follows their example."

Coun Paul Browne, Sudell ward, said: "That's brilliant news and everybody in Darwen will be thrilled."

Roy Davies, independence campaigner from Olive Lane, said: "It's fantastic that someone has finally listened. We can only hope that the M65 sign is changed now."

Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson contacted the company as soon as she heard the original name, which was described by Coun Browne as 'another kick in the teeth for the people of Darwen. Mrs Anderson said: "I'm delighted that Bestway has listened to the people of Darwen."

The 100,000 sq ft cash and carry will employ between 50 and 100 local people. The company, which hopes to open in Darwen in the summer, was formed in 1976 and is the fastest growing cash and carry group in the country with sales in excess of a billion pounds per annum. The Darwen store will be the firm's 29th.