BLACKBURN and Darwen will be at the centre of a new Government approach to streamline the process of searching for a job and the payment of benefits.

The district is one of only 17 nationwide which will pilot the new Jobcentre Plus agency. It will open for business in October.

The Benefit Agency is being brought together with the Jobcentre network to provide a one-stop shop to help unemployed people return to work.

The multi million pound shake-up will also bring a high-tech revolution to the new Jobcentre Plus establishments.

The traditional 'job cards' outlining local vacancies will be replaced with touch-screen technology which will handle details of more than 400,000 jobs available throughout the country.

Advanced 'Job Point' terminals will be installed. They will allow individuals to search a vast national database of vacancies.

The changes were outlined by Leigh Lewis, the new chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, on a visit to Blackburn and Darwen.

He said the new service would bring benefits to both the jobless and to employers.

Jobcentre Plus will be a brand new agency, Mr Lewis said: "Its offices and the services they will provide will be very different from anything we have today.

"The people of Blackburn and Darwen will be among the first in the country to discover a new personalised and supportive work-focused service. I am encouraged by what I have seen and impressed with the people I have met.

"Their enthusiasm and commitment towards making Jobcentre Plus a success is clearly evident."

Mr Lewis said the new agency would have a clear focus under one roof to help everyone capable of working to find a job while providing support and advice on benefits for those who needed it.

The Government is investing £160 million in developing the 17 'pathfinder' areas, which include Blackburn with Darwen.

Millions are being spent on upgrading facilities at Blackburn's Orchard House Benefits Agency office and the Jobcentre in Cardwell Place.

Work is also well under way at Darwen's Jobcentre in Green Street.