COUNCILLORS have given the go-ahead for two of Pendle's largest firms to extend their stores and create extra jobs.

Asda and Boundary Mill were granted planning permission to enlarge their neighbouring stores in Corporation Street, Colne, to provide extra space for customers and staff.

Asda will be extended by just over 1,000 sq metres by building an extension near the store's entrance. The internal layout of the supermarket will be changed to provide extra space and make it look less cluttered.

Boundary Mill will also be extended by building a link between the original mill building and the china and glass department. Escalators will be used to transport customers between the buildings.

The scheme, which will create an unknown number of new jobs, also includes extra car parking spaces in Corporation Street on the site currently used as an over-spill car park.

Nearby Back Burnley Road will be improved to improve the area and meet residents' concerns.

A report to Pendle Council's Colne area committee by council planning officer Janet Holland said: "There is no reason to believe that the improvements at Asda and Boundary Mill will adversely affect existing town centres."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.