BUILDING work has begun on the Fylde's newest star attraction.

A planetarium and astronomy centre is being built at Rossall School, near Cleveleys, and could be open to the public by next spring, says the man behind the project, doctor of astronomy Nick Lister.

Dr Lister - also Rossall's head of design and technology - first talked about the plan to The Citizen last December, and says he's delighted the £211,000 project is now fully under way.

Although sited in the grounds of the private Rossall School, the centre will be open to the public.

It comprises a purpose built planetarium, a lecture theatre and classroom, and could offer courses for astronomy fans 'of all ages and levels 'in future.

Part new build and part refurbishment of existing rooms, the centre has been funded by a regional grant-making body, the Lawrence House Trust Fund.

The project has also been designed to complement the existing observatory in Rossall's grounds. The observatory's 12ft long, 18ins wide telescope was made in 1870, but has been scouring the Fylde's skies since 1904, and tracking such cosmic events as the Transit of Venus, seen by many eager stargazers in June.

Although the fine details of the new centre are still under wraps, Dr Lister said: "It's very unique, certainly for the region.

"The building work's been going on for the last four weeks or so. I think it will be at least the beginning of February when it opens."

He added: "The ultimate goal for me is for people to say 'I fancy doing astronomy, but where can I go to? I know, I can do it at Rossall'."

Dr Lister hopes the general surge in interest in astronomy, thanks to programmes like BBC 1's recent Space Odyssey, will also encourage the public to find out more.

And to give astronomy fans a taster, he is hosting an astronomy discovery evening, entitled Life, The Universe and Everything, at Rossall School next Wednesday (November 24), from 7pm to around 10pm.

"It's a nice informal, introductory evening for anyone who's ever thought they might be interested in astronomy. There's a slide show and talk, taking a grand tour of the universe, a chance to learn your way around the night sky, and a question and answer session at the end," Dr Lister said.

Tickets for the event are £5 and all are welcome, from total beginners to more experienced amateur astronomers. Telephone the school on 01253 774201 to book.