A RECRUITMENT drive has been launched to recruit more than 200 employees at a new state-of-the-art warehouse complex.

Fast-growing promotions company MDA is opening the first phase of its new £3.5million development at Mill Hill, Blackburn, which is among the most modern in the UK.

The new centre in Albert Street, which will strengthen MDA's position as one of the leading point of sale management companies in the UK, will be opened by Blackburn MP and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw on Friday afternoon.

MDA, which already employs more than 250 people in Mill Hill, co-ordinates promotional campaigns for the country's leading breweries and pub chains.

Managing director Ian Stead said the Cardwell Mill development, opposite the company's headquarters, was one of the most advanced of its kind in the country.

"This purpose-built facility is the first of a truly exceptional three-phase programme, which will result in MDA being the largest handling facility in the country, supporting some of the UK's leading brands," he said.

"We have worked closely over many months with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council's regeneration team and the North West Development Agency to get to this stage.

"We are honoured that Jack Straw has taken time out of his very hectic schedule to open Cardwell Mill.

"Cardwell Mill is also a clear demonstration of the many developments taking place at MDA and lays a solid foundation from which the business can now truly achieve its potential. It also underlines our commitment to the East Lancashire area.

"We are now looking forward to starting phase two of the development in the near future."

The new complex covers a four-acre area site. When all three phases are complete it will have the capacity to store more than 20,000 pallets and will cover 100,000 square feet.

Mr Stead described it as one of the most technologically advanced complexes of its type in the country, boasting a sophisticated racking system capable of storing 12 pallets on top of one another.

"The effect on the company's overall development will be enormous too," he said.

"More than 200 new staff positions are being created by the development and a recruitment drive to secure the extra manpower has already started."

As well as serving the UK's three largest independent pub group operators, MDA is also a leading player in the travel and retail sectors.

Clients range from Interbrew, owners of Stella Artois and Boddingtons, to GAP UK, Air 2000 and Danone.