HOME and hardware retailer Wilkinson's will create up to 88 full and part-time jobs when it opens its new Burnley town centre store in June.

The Midlands-based group today announced it would start recruiting staff for the 30,000 sq ft Curzon Street store in April.

The family-owned company said its staffing ratio was around 60 per cent part-time and 40 per cent full-time staff, with many positions ideally suited to people returning to work or parents of young children.

The high street retailer believes the new store, part of the latest £12.5million town centre development, will also offer a real boost to trade in the town.

New manager David Stanley said: "Our track record in other towns across the UK shows that opening a new Wilkinson store increases footfall in the town on a broader scale, something that can only be good for Burnley as a whole."

The group has 200 stores, with 20 more planned this year.

Another retail chain, TJ Hughes is also taking a 30,000 sq ft store in the Curzon Street development which is aiming to open late next month.

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