REMNANTS of the old Darwen Leisure Centre are set to be incorporated in the new building.

Two artists have been appointed by the council to work on art installations at the new £12.7million complex being built in Green Street, and one of them will be scouring the remains of the old 1932 building for pieces worth saving.

Internationally-renowned sculp-tural artist Lorna Green will be meeting with Rebecca Johnson, head of arts for Blackburn with Darwen Council, on Tuesday at Corporation Park to look at the artefacts. The idea is to use stonework from the porticos and windows of the old building, as well as landscaping, to create a site-specific outdoor piece of work drawing on the history and enviro-nment of the site.

It will also link in with the incorporation of the historic archway, saved from the bulldozers when they moved in two years ago.

Rebecca said: “Lorna’s work gave a great opportunity to combine elements of the old building with the new building and retaining that important link to Darwen's herit-age.”

Glass artist Sarah McNicol has been commissoned to make specific pieces to be incorporated in the internal windows.

Her style is delicate and remins-cent of the rippling of water, which will fit in with the view down to the pool.

Rebecca added: “The artists will be working on site from September and they will carry out a range of workshops and consultations with schools and residents to help influence the final pieces.

“As part of this there will be the opportunity for people to make pieces of glasswork which can be included in the final building.”

Each artist is contracted to deliver the workshop programme and final artwork for £9,000. The centre is due to open in September.