A contractor has been signed up to make the roof of an historic Blackburn mill watertight in advance of regeneration works.

Council chiefs have appointed Ashton-in-Makerfield-based FRS Roofing Services for the job at the imposing Imperial Mill.

Blackburn with Darwen Council bought the mill in February 2023 with the intention of restoring and repurposing it as a job-creating hub for creative industries and cultural activities.

A total of 13 tenders were forthcoming for the repairs project, councillors have been told, with bids evaluated on their price, quality and social value.

Borough growth programme director, Simon Jones, said in a report that the FRS package was "the most economically advantageous tender" of those submitted.

He added: "An on-going programme of remedial maintenance is underway at Imperial Mill to prevent the deterioration of the building.

"This tendered activity will address the rainwater ingress from the main and other subsidiary roofs, which are due to the condition of the asphalt roofing, and parapet walls.

"During the last six months, temporary repairs have been successfully undertaken to provide breathing space to procure permanent roof repairs and replacement.

"If the roof is not repaired further damage will be experienced to the fabric of the building, requiring increased costs for further repairs in future years."

Last May the borough's planning committee approved the demolition of structurally unsafe elements at the imposing 123-year-old canalside building including the boiler house, engine room extension, masonry annex and steel structure.

The mill opened in 1901 to process cotton and commercial operations ceased for this purpose in the 1980s.

The council bought the building from the Lancashire Saw Company after securing £1 million of government levelling up funds.

Further major grants are envisaged for the jobs hub element of the blueprints.