LEADING lights in Darwen have been honoured for their work to improve the town.

Darwen Civic Society's Civic Pride Awards saw four local groups rewarded for their efforts to make their local community more attractive.

A ceremony was held at Derwent Hall, George Street, and the annual awards were handed out by Blackburn with Darwen mayor Coun David Foster.

This year's award winners included a chapel and a coffee shop, each honoured for their local contributions.

Twin sisters Jackie Barnes and Christine Pickup took over CJ's Milk Bar, Market Street, earlier this year and have been praised for transforming the empty shop into a colourful cafe reminiscent of its popular predecessor.

Forty years ago the building was known as the Express Milk Bar and the sisters wanted to bring a bit of the past back to Darwen.

It now features photographs of how it used to look, on the walls of the cafe, and it was the pair's enthusiasm and success in brightening up the cafe which led to them being chosen for the award.

Jackie, who used to run Hartley's cafe, in Northgate, Blackburn, with her sister, today said: "We were delighted when we found out we had been chosen for this award and all our customers were happy for us too. It's an achievement and was a real surprise."

Christine said: "We had a cafe in Blackburn and we just wanted to make this one as nice. We are Darreners so we obviously want to help to make our own town nicer.

"Our framed certificate is up on the wall for everyone to see."

Renovation work on Pickup Bank Chapel was recognised as sensitive to its surroundings.

Staff at the Golden Cup Inn, off Blackburn Road, were rewarded for the pub's attractive topiary gardens.

And Pembroke Court old people's home, in George Street, was given a prize for its well-maintained gardens.

Marilyn Bysh, secretary of the Civic Society, said: "We had a good time, and there was a bring-and-buy sale, and a raffle.

"The event gives people an opportunity to find out what the Civic Society is doing and what our projects are."