A THIRD hotel in Blackburn town centre is still on the cards, bosses insist.

The owners of the former police station, in Northgate, insist they remain "positive" about plans to open a hotel on the site.

Yesterday's unveiling of plans for a £70m revamp of the town's Cathedral Quarter included plans for two major hotels, which would be the first in the town centre.

The announcement raised questions about whether the town could house three hotels.

But Alastair Procter, head of special projects at the owners, Rossendale-based developer Hurstwood, said he "welcomed" the new plans.

The magistrates' courts, which are still housed in the grade two-listed Victorian buildings, are set to move to a new 'justice centre', on the site of the former Telephone Exchange in Duke Street, but they are expected to stay in the building for another two years.

Mr Procter said this was the main obstacle facing the hotel bid.

He said: "We believe that yesterday's announcement is good news.

"It underlines the fact that the faith we have had in Blackburn for many years is not misplaced.

"We are continuing to look at the feasibility of a hotel on the old police station site as we have for some time and the indications at this point remain positive.

"However, we have to stress that, while the magistrates court remains at the old police station and it is likely to do so for the next two years at least, there are limitations as to what we can do with the rest of the building in the short term.

"We are still at an early stage of the process."

The firm is working "hand in hand" with the council, he said.

Blackburn with Darwen deputy chief executive Andrew Lightfoot said there was still potential for a hotel on the site.

Richard Prest, of Blackburn Civic Society, said the former police station was among the most important buildings in the town.

He added: "It's obviously of great importance to the town, and any use that provides a sustainable long-term future we will support."