PREPARATIONS are under way for the main section of Blackburn's Freckleton Street bridge to be dropped into place.

Contractors have targeted the end of January to slide and lower the road section into position.

Blackburn with Darwen lead member for regeneration Coun Tony Melia said the £12million bridge would be a "great sight" when it is completed.

Work is set to finish in the summer. The bridge will eventually link up with the £4million final section of the town's orbital route.

Councillors were told last week that planning permission for the road, as well as a request to demolish the listed former police station on King Street which is in the way, was expected to be sought at the end of this month or in early February.