THE jobs market in Farnworth will soon look brighter after a major lighting firm announced a £750,000 relocation to the town.

Village Lighting Ltd plans to create 60 assembly and warehouse jobs after buying Cobden Mill in Gower Street.

It is closing its factory in Cheadle, Cheshire, with the loss of 40 jobs, and aims to start production in Farnworth in the next two months.

The move means the decorative lighting firm will join its upmarket sister company, Philip Salter and Son Ltd, which already operates from Cobden Mill.

A re-launch of a sub-let retail outlet at the site is also planned as part of the company's plans.

It has been paid for, in part, by a £80,000 grant from the Little Hulton and Farnworth Partnership towards the purchase of the mill and installing a new lift.

Mike Tinkle, Village Lighting's managing director, said: "It was a difficult decision to close our Cheadle factory where we have a loyal and hardworking team, but this exciting move is the most significant development since the business started, opening new opportunities for the future.

"The support and advice we had from the Little Hulton and Farnworth Partnership was an important factor in opting to move to Farnworth."

Mr Tinkler added that his companies provided a wide range of decorative lighting to a variety of local and national retail outlets.

The firm intends to extensively upgrade the five-storey Grade II listed building which is in the heart of the Moses Gate neighbourhood renewal area.

And it chose Farnworth after researching alternative sites in South-east Lancashire and West Yorkshire.

Farnworth Cllr Noel Spencer, who is also joint chairman of the Little Hulton and Farnworth Partnership, said: "This is a major boost to the local economy and is clear evidence of the progress and success of regeneration in Farnworth."

Guy Darragh, business liaison officer for the partnership, said: "This is truly excellent news for the Moses Gate area which is seeing major regeneration from both the neighbourhood renewal fund and the single regeneration budget.

"Further projects with other Moses Gate companies are at an advanced stage and hopefully more good news will be announced in the future."