A DISCOUNT chain has moved into Runcorn.

Shaun Pollard, chief executive officer of Halton Haven Hospice opened the B&M store on Bridge Retail Park on Saturday.

He was presented with £250 worth of vouchers for the hospice.

The hospice in Murdishaw offers palliative care to individuals and their families across Runcorn and Widnes.

Store manager Simon Smith said: “Thank you to everyone who joined us for our grand opening and made it such a fun day.

“It was a huge honour to bring 70 new jobs to the area as well as being able to support Halton Haven.”

B&M has converted the former Homebase store which closed in June with the loss of 35 jobs.

Halton Council leader Cllr Rob Polhill welcomed B&M.

He said: “I’m really pleased that B&M has chosen to locate here.

“Halton is bucking the trend as more and more companies are moving here and creating much needed jobs.”

B&M opened a new warehouse in Manor Park, Runcorn in July, creating 250 jobs.

The chain has two stores in Widnes.