MORE than 350 job hunters applied for just seven jobs at a new Accrington store.

National pet shop chain Pets At Home has taken over the former United Carpets store, at Eastgate Retail Park, creating seven jobs.

An average of 50 people applied for each position at the 9,335 sq ft store, which will open on Friday, May 23, and has been welcomed by Hyndburn MP Graham Jones.

He said: “It’s an honour to welcome such a prestigious household name to Accrington.

“The new Pets At Home store is a great addition to our existing retail landscape and I’m thrilled that it will provide job opportunities for those wishing to pursue a career in caring for animals.”

Area manager, Gill Parry, added: “There was a strong demand from Accrington pet owners for Pets at Home to come to town, and we’re very pleased to have been able to grant them their wish.

“Pets at Home is committed to recruiting from the local area and I’m pleased we’ve found a team of talented individuals in Accrington. They’re all extremely passionate about pets and can’t wait to get started.”

The new employees will be given the opportunity to gain specialist qualifications in pet care.

Store manager, Amy Angus, has been with Pets at Home for two years, having previously worked at the Preston branch.

She said: “It’s been a busy few months and now my team and I can’t wait to open the doors and welcome our new customers and their pets to the store.”

The shop will provide thousands of dedicated pet products, catering for local dogs, cats, small animals, chickens, reptiles, birds, fish, and wildlife.

A pet grooming salon will also be located in the store. Pets At Home was founded in 1991 and has more than 370 sites across the UK.

It employs more than 6,000 people and won The Sunday Times Top 25 Best Big Companies to Work For last year .