Essential repairs to two historic Blackburn buildings owned by the borough council have been given the go-ahead by councillors.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's planning committee approved the works to King George's Hall and Imperial Mill on Thursday night.

Borough growth boss Cllr Quesir Mahmood said the repairs would leave both heritage-listed buildings in a much better state than they were now.

The work to King George's Hall in the town centre's Northgate is the second stage of a multi-million-pound facelift for East Lancashire's premier entertainment venue.

It includes window and door replacements, stonework restoration and repointing.

Imperial MillImperial Mill

The first phase of the work consisting of roof repairs was approved by the committee in May.

The repairs to Imperial Mill in Gorse Street will shore up the structurally unsafe elements of the giant 1901 structure, including the main roof, windows and rainwater goods of the building.

The committee's April and May meetings had approved the demolition of those elements to the mill which posed a serious risk to health and safety.

Planning manager Gavin Prescott assured Conservative spokesperson Cllr Paul Marrow there was no risk to employees of the premises' first-floor tenant the Lancashire Saw Company, and that the national Health and Safety Executive had been closely involved throughout the process of developing the repair project.

Cllr Mahmood said the repair programme to King George's Hall was much-needed and would bring it up to modern standards.

He added: "It will secure the building and the future of the building."

Mr Prescott told councillors they would be asked to approve several more similar applications for both buildings in the coming months.