WORK was due to get under way today at Darwen Town Hall in the first phase of a scheme to transform it into a one-stop-shop.

Both Darwen and Blackburn town halls will be refurbished as part of the bdirect scheme which will make it easier for people to contact their council and improve customer service.

Darwen's reception area will be redecorated and refurbished and computer systems updated.

A full range of services will be maintained at all times.

The newly refurbished one-stop-shop is due to fully re-open in December.

Work has begun in Blackburn to upgrade the IT infrastructure, while redesigning and refurbishing the reception area is due to start on December 6.