CARLISLE'S long-awaited Primark store will open in October, it has been confirmed.

Jobs are being advertised at the new store in the Lanes shopping centre, which is in the process of being fitted out.

The discount fashion retailer is set to create employment for 144 people when the new store opens.

It has taken over the former BHS unit, which closed earlier this year, and has already appointed people to a number of management posts.

Now it is recruiting the rest of its workforce.

Posts being advertised include retail assistants and supervisors to work on the sales floor, as well as jobs in the stockroom, cash office, human resources and visual merchandising.

Colin Glover, leader of Carlisle City Council, said he was pleased that a timescale had been confirmed.

He added: "October was always a target time so that they were open well in time for Christmas, but they have made good progress.

"It now looks to be a firm date."

It is understood that Primark has signed a 25-year lease on the unit.