WORK will get under way on a £1m marina in the next few weeks after the scheme was given the go-ahead.

Bosses at Barden Mill are celebrating after their plans for the 102-berth marina were approved by Burnley and Pendle councils.

Reedley Marina will be built on 16 acres of land behind the store in Barden Lane at Reedley Hallows with work beginning early in the New Year.

The development will mean that visitors travelling along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal can stay at the site overnight or lease a space for a year.

There will also be a shower room with toilets, a small tea room and shop on site for visitors to use.

It is hoped the marina will provide a major boost to tourism.

Store owner Jason Fildes said: "I am absolutely delighted we have got to this stage and can now start putting the work schedule in place.

"The construction should start in early January and if all goes to plan we should have boats in the marina by August 2008."

The marina will be environmentally friendly, being built from natural materials like Coir, a 100 per cent natural fibre extracted from the husks of coconuts.

Around 15,000 trees and shrubs will also be planted to shelter the area from the wind. It will employ six staff.

Mr Fildes added: "The nearest marinas are in Skipton and Chorley, so this facility will be a excellent gateway to the region.

"It will be Pennine Lancashire's leading marina and provide users of the canal with a much-needed facility. It's a long cruise between Chorley and Skipton on a narrowboat.

"The real beauty of this location is its stunning scenery.

"The marina has uninterrupted views across the valley up to Pendle Hill.

"We have already had some interest in the marina from boat owners and over the coming months we will be working hard marketing the marina so that people know what is on offer."