A ROW broke out today after a London-based company announced it was to open a new store in Darwen -- under the name Blackburn.

The 100,000 sq ft Blackburn Bestway store, to be based off Lower Eccleshill Road, will employ between 50 and 100 people. But the naming of the store has been described as "another kick in the teeth" for the people of Darwen.

The news comes after the M65 Blackburn Services controversy, where the station was named after Darwen's neighbour, despite being near the Anchor estate.

Councillor Paul Browne of Sudell ward said: "It's absolutely outrageous and I can't believe this has happened again. We need to write to the company and get that name changed. It's another kick in the teeth for the people of Darwen."

Roy Davies, a campaigner for Darwen independence, said: "When will it all stop? I just can't believe that we have the fiasco with the motorway sign which still hasn't been sorted out, and now this.

"We won't even be on the map soon and it's not on. Our identity is slowly being taken away from us."

Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson has promised to look into the problem. She said: "I will get in contact with the managing director and ask them to change the name because it's just not right."

Coun Dave Smith of Sunnyhurst ward, urged members of the public to write to the company for a name change. He said: "It's very close to the border but people should write in and tell them the correct address."

Farhat Abbas, marketing executive for Bestway, said: "Blackburn is our primary catchment area and that's why we named it Blackburn Bestway. This will be our 29th store and it will be a state-of-the-art cash and carry. We hope to open in summer and we will be employing people from Blackburn and Darwen.

"Local people will be the best ambassadors for Blackburn Bestway and we will look at this matter with urgency. We are very sensitive to our customers' needs and if the name is going to be a problem, we will have to look into it."