COUNCIL bosses hope the new 80 jobs boost in Hyndburn will be the ‘first of many’ jobs for the area next year.

Leader of Hyndburn Council Peter Britcliffe has also welcomed the knock-on effect the jobs will have on Accrington town centre’s economy.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas 60 staff began working at The Globe Centre in Accrington and another 20 are expected to start in the new year.

The jobs are part of Lancashire County Council's move of half of its customer service centre operation to the town from Preston to save £600,000 a year in mainly rental costs.

The 60 staff were among 300 housed at the Red Rose Hub building who are in the process of relocating to other accommodation which is more cost-effective.

Coun Peter Britcliffe said: “This is particularly good news for Accrington in the time of recession. It means more people will work in Accrington and more and more people will pump money into the town centre economy.

“It is a good start to the new year and I hope this is the first of many jobs coming into the area this year.”

Leader of Lancashire County Council, Coun Geoff Driver, said: "To have 80 more workers and jobs based in the town is a real boost for Accrington. At the same time, this move will allow us to save a significant sum of money on behalf of Lancashire's council tax payers."

The council's Customer Service Centre is now split across two locations.

The remaining Customer Service Centre staff are being relocated to 58-60 Guildhall Street, a building owned by the county council in the centre of Preston.