A MANUFACTURING firm looks set to create at least 70 new jobs if expansion plans are given the green light.

Toilet-roll producers Accrol Papers has submitted a planning application to change the use of a unit after buying the site, on Roman Road Industrial Estate, in Blackburn, earlier this year.

Bosses at the firm revealed that the move may not only open up those 70 new positions, but could also provide additional employment in the distribution aspect of the business.

The family-run company has bought the former Ordnance Manufacturing site on the industrial estate, where it is currently based, as part of its latest expansion plans to meet growing business contracts.

Accrol, which currently employs 130 staff, has proposed that the unit should be used as a distribution and storage base for its toilet and kitchen-roll products.

The application has been submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Council planning committee, and will be considered at a later date.

Accrol’s commercial director Tim Bullough said planning consent was vital to ensure the company can expand to meet demand.

This latest expansion announcement comes just four months after Accrol bosses revealed 50 new jobs would be created at the site.

Mr Bullough said: “We are very, very busy and need to accommodate our increasing products, and this will enable us to increase our sales.

“Without this we cannot expand to the level we want.

“We are very busy and we see that growth continuing.

“With this site, if planning permission is granted, that would allow it to continue.

“It would see 70 jobs being created in the fairly near future, with potentially other jobs in terms of distribution.”

Accrol, which is one of the UK’s largest independent toilet roll suppliers, last year notched up sales of £38million and hopes to reach £52million in 2011.

And the firm is confident the expansion can push turnover up to £65million by next year.