THIS is the first look at what could become the new multi-million home of the criminal justice system in Blackburn.

Blueprints have been drawn up for a new 11-court centre on the site of the former telephone exchange in Duke Street.

Currently the site is home to the East Lancashire Institute of Higher Education, part of Blackburn College.

But talks have taken place between Blackburn with Darwen Council and Her Majesty's Court Service over what will happen to the council-owned site as the institute is expected to move to planned new college buildings, off Barbara Castle Way, in late 2010.

Council regeneration bosses believe it will provide an ideal location for the new courthouse.

Court service officials have now commissioned a site study and come up with preliminary plans for an imposing four-storey courts complex.

Originally it had been hoped that funding could be found to develop the courthouse project, also off Barbara Castle Way.

But the East Lancashire initiative missed out on Whitehall backing and it has now been pencilled in for the court service's financial plans post-2010.

The proposals could also spell a new lease of life for Blackburn's former police station, located next to the existing magistrates court on Northgate.

Both buildings will be sold by their current owners as part of the changes.

Empty since Blackburn police officers relocated to a new divisional headquarters at Whitebirk in 2003, the old station and courthouse has attracted interest from a number of major hotel chains.

Without the extra space afforded by the courthouse, the potential for such a use would be limited, according to the council and Rossendale-based developers Hurstwood, the agents for the two sites.

Coun Alan Cottam, the council's regeneration executive member, said: "The former police station, adjoining the court building, has not been in use for some time.

"We are earmarking this combined site for major redevelopment and we are pleased that another piece of the regeneration jigsaw is now taking shape."

The talks with the court service have centred on establishing a project board for the development so a full business case for the courthouse can be developed and an outline planning application submitted.

The court service has described a new courthouse for Blackburn as a 'priority'.