A LANCASHIRE communications company has secured the contract to supply the county's biggest-ever homes and garden centre.

Talkwire has landed the deal to install specialist voice systems at the £7 million Lancashire Homes and Gardens in Rossendale, which is due to open this month.

"It is a landmark development which has created a massive amount of interest in the region, not least because of the scale of the project, and it is great to be associated with it," said Talkwire's Nick Grimshaw.

"The centre will not only look spectacular, but will have state-of-the-art voice and data systems in place too. It will make it easier for customers to contact the centre for information and for internal communications."

Talkwire will install a state-of-the-art telephone system -- an Avaya IP Office -- that allows convergence with the garden centre's computer network.

Nick added: "That means, as well as traditional desk top phones, the system can be operated via PCs." Accrington-based Talkwire -- which recently announced a partnership arrangement with IT suppliers Lanway -- has already managed the installation of the BT lines for the phone system, alarms system and computer cabling on the site. Staff will also be able to take advantage of a cordless mobile system.

Lancashire Homes and Gardens is based on the site of the former Syke Mill site close to the Haslingden bypass.

The centre will sell everything from garden plants to household accessories and includes a restaurant. There will also be an aquarium and pet section.