EMPTY shops are going to be transformed into pieces of art after councillors agreed to fund a new project.

Councillors at a Colne committee meeting agreed to fund poster boards which will be put into the windows of disused town centre shops until they become occupied.

Each board, which will measure about two-and-a-half metres square, is expected to feature scenes from the area on them.

Pendle Leisure Trust has been commissioned to make the first vinyl which they are producing for free. It is due to be put in the former Remy clothes shop window in Albert Road, Colne, next week.

The council has agreed to pay the trust £1,500 to produce more of the boards, which cost £200 each.

Councillors are hoping the scheme will help to reduce vandalism and if it is successful it could then be rolled out across Pendle.

"There has been a number of shops in Colne town centre close down recently and the shop windows have been painted white.

"This simply encourages vandalism and makes them look less attractive.

"Pendle Leisure Trust have offered to produce a vinyl for free with pleasant pictures which can be moved to other empty shop windows in the town as and when they become empty."

Coun Sharon Davies, chair of Colne committee, said: "This is an excellent idea which would help to make the town centre look more attractive."

Coun Davies, speaking after the meeting, added: "£1,500 should be enough money to fund a number of these boards which should last quite some time.

"We have been in talks with the leisure trust who are hoping to have the first board produced by next week and will hopefully be placed in the former Remy clothes shop.

"We are hoping to have local scenes such as Pendle Hill on them.

"Hopefully they will be a success and maybe then the idea can be rolled out into Nelson and other towns."