LORD Square is officially full -- thanks to a new bargain shop and a training project.

The rundown part of Blackburn, which owners Standard Life are refusing to refurbish despite growing demands from across the town, will be full for the first time in years from the middle of this month.

A second cut-price outlet -- called appropriately The Bargain Shop -- will open on the square, along with a discount clothes shop called Johnny Monks.

But one of the square's 18 units is also to be turned into a training centre for would-be shopworkers in a project organised by the local employment service and Standard Life.

Arnold Wilcox-Wood, manager of Blackburn Shopping Centre, said: "People will be able to come along and receive six weeks training in retail before applying for other jobs.

"The shop will sell craft type goods which are being arranged by the employment service.

"In the back of the unit there is the facility to carry out the training.

"We believe it is something of a unique scheme which will benefit our other tenants as they will be able to employ people who have some skills."

A number of new stores have opened in Lord Square in recent months, including local white goods firm Toplex.

Existing clothes firm POSH has also rented more units to expand the existing store.

Today, a new discount clothes store specialising in high street seconds, opened its doors while a new bargain shop is also being fitted out.

Mr Wilcox-Wood added: "We have been actively marketing the units in recent weeks and are pleased that they are now all occupied."

Standard Life are still refusing to say when they will refurbish Lord Square. Opinion is split in Blackburn on what should be done to it -- although prominent community leaders agree something HAS to be done.

Council bosses have said they favour demolition and major work to complement the upgrade of Church Street and to attract more high street names to the town.

Blackburn's famous fashion designer son Wayne Hemingway has called for its 1960s design to be preserved and restored.

His stance is backed by the Blackburn Civic Society, although a poll carried out by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph in February revealed most shoppers want it rebuilt.