A public servant who devoted his life to serving Blackburn has had a street named after him.

Alderman Arthur Townsend now has his own road in Blackburn, just by Campbell Street, the site of a new development on the Roe Lee Mill site.

Born in 1874 he died in 1957 at the age of 83.

The former weaver, who began working in Blackburn’s cotton mills at the age of ten, became active in local politics.

During a period where more than 30,000 people were unemployed in the town, Alderman Townsend spent five years taking up the cases of fellow weavers with the Labour Exchange authorities.

He was a governor of local secondary schools and a member of the town's education committee and chairman of the Blackburn's health committee.

In 1954 he received the Civic Medal from the Mayor for 'outstanding and meritorious service to the town'.

The unveiling of Alderman Arthur Townsend Way was attended by Arthur’s great, great niece, Andrea Townsend, borough council leader Cllr Phil Riley, and Blackburn with Darwen Mayor Cllr Suleman Khonat.

Ms Townsend said: “I am thrilled that my great, great uncle’s dedication to his various roles and devoted service to Blackburn and its people has been publicly honoured by way of a street sign. I am incredibly proud of him. He gave tirelessly and selflessly. He was a true pioneer.”

Cllr Riley said: "I am delighted to be celebrating the significant achievements of Arthur and the great contributions he made to this town.

"It is incredibly important to remember our past community heroes and, of course, the history of our borough’s weaving heritage, which lay the foundations of what we are able to build on today."

A graveside service of remembrance and blessing for Alderman Townsend will be held at St Peter’s Churchyard, Salesbury at 11.30am on Sunday.