WORK has begun on a £10million office development expected to create more than 400 jobs in Darwen.

Cheshire-based company Gladman Developments is building 61,000 sq ft of new offices at the Blackburn Interchange at Junction 4 of the M65.

The new development will be known as Arkwright Court and will consist of a mix of high quality office buildings for sale and lease.

It will stand next to Dalton Court, another Gladman Developments building, which is already 85 per cent occupied.

Neil McManus, of Gladman Developments, said: "We have been encouraged by the success of Dalton Court at Blackburn Interchange.

"This is definitely an emerging office location and Arkwright Court will provide a wider range of product along with popular freehold opportunities.

"We expect it to attract national companies looking for regional headquarters, or a base for a trans-Pennine sales team, as well as local companies looking to expand."

The development is a speculative one, which means Gladman has started construction on site without first having secured occupiers.

But Mr McManus added: "We always build speculatively, as we know this is the best way to attract new companies to our offices and new employers to an area."

Councillor Andy Kay, executive member for regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "This development, and the news that it will bring new jobs to the area, is very welcome and shows that investors are recognising Darwen as an excellent place to invest."

The first buildings are expected to be completed at by spring 2006 and will range in size from 2,250 sq ft to 10,070 sq ft along with a new 25,500 sq ft headquarters office building.

Arkwright Court is Gladman's 41st speculative office development in England and Wales in the past five years.

A number of businesses have been attracted to The Blackburn Interchange site in the last 18-months, including Classic Windows and Conservatories, Switch Personell and Kingsfold Developments.