RESIDENTS and traders celebrated to mark the end of regeneration work in Darwen at the weekend.

Coun Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Council, released 450 balloons to signify the £450,000 spent on Darwen's new market square.

Many Darwen businesses said the work had hit trade and a fun day was held to show the start of a new era.

Eileen Guy, market hall representative, said: "It's to celebrate the end of this stage of the regeneration and to thank the traders and public who have been so patient."