AN innovative new scheme to transform one of Preston's main shopping streets, and work to reintroduce cars to Nelson, will all go into the melting pot for Burnley's new £3million makeover.

Borough council leader Cllr Mark Townsend says there will be an extensive public consultation over the future look of St James Street, on which his authority and Lancashire County Council are set to launch a major upgrade programme over the next three years.

County engineers have offered the services of the project delivery team behind the Fishergate Central Gateway scheme in Preston, an integrated approach based on a 'shared space' between pedestrians and vehicles.

Nearby Nelson has taken a slightly different approach, reintroducing cars onto Scotland Road for the first time in decades, and providing a central route through the pedestrianised portions of Manchester Road and Leeds Road in the town centre.

Cllr Townsend said: "When I have walked down Fishergate I've found their approach to be quite innovative and I hope that the team will bring the same kind of ideas when they begin work in Burnley.

"What has been done in Preston and Nelson is quite impressive and we will be reviewing all of our options as we begin a major public consultation exercise to determine the best way forward."

Borough councillors approved their £1.5million contribution to the works, as part of the budget-setting process last week and County Cllr John Fillis, Lancashire's highways cabinet member, has now approved an equivalent figure.

He said: "We are committed to creating the right conditions for economic growth and this exciting project will provide a real boost for Burnley.

"Creating a more welcoming environment will increase investor confidence and make the town centre a more attractive place for businesses and visitors alike.

"We have seen in Preston how the Fishergate improvements have helped attract national names like Sainsbury's, and I'm sure this investment will have an equally positive impact for Burnley."

The investment would be phased over the next three years, with an initial £950,000 being spent over the next 12 months, £1.45million from 2016-17 and £550,000 in the final year.