BLUEPRINTS have been drawn up by an entrepeneur for a mini-brewery in the heart of Darwen.

Julian Fallon, of Redearth Road, is asking the borough council for planning permission to convert a unit at Mayfield House, on Tockholes Road, into an ale manufacturing facility.

Borough planners have been told by Mr Fallon that he intends to target the wholesale market with his beverages.

In order to launch his microbrewery he will need to install his own mash tun, cold liquor tank, hot liquor tank, fermentation vessels, heat exchanger and cask-washing machinery.

And he has also asked for planning consent to install an adequate security fence around the premises, which are currently used as a workshop.

Mr Fallon says no more than two vehicles are expected to visit the premises daily and there should be no night-time working.

He also says he has identified farms who would be interested in recycling his spent malt, grain and yeast products.