The transfer a parcel of land to a social housing provider to that a brand new children's and youth hub building in the middle of a 1950's former council estate has been rubber stamped by senior councillors.

The move will allow the Together Housing Group (THG) to claim an £800,000 grant to develop the centre in Shadsworth.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive board on Thursday evening approved the transfer the plot which includes the surrounding park and open space on a 99-year lease at a peppercorn rent.

The children's hub is being financed from an £8 million grant to the borough from the government's Youth Investment Fund which also finance major improvements to Darwen Youth Centre, Blackburn Youth Zone and Audley and Queen’s Park Children’s Centre.

The scheme is part of a £20m makeover of the Shadsworth Estate by Together Housing.

The project was praised by borough children's service boss Cllr Julie Gunn as 'really positive'.

The council's finance boss Cllr Vicky McGurk, whose Blackburn South East ward includes the estate, said: "I am really pleased. The people of Shadsworth really deserve this."

Cllr Quesir Mahmood said in a report to the meeting: "Together Housing Group (THG) through their subsidiary Newground-Together have bid for and secured Youth Investment Fund (YIF) grant to build a new children's hub in the Shadsworth area.

"The project is supported by the council and the location of the new building will be in a central area close to the existing Shadsworth Hub, local play area and open space.

"A condition of the YIF grant is that the land ownership should be in the name of the grant receiving organisation.

"This land transfer will enable Newground-Together to draw down the grant and commence the building."