A BLACKBURN town centre bar is being turned into a tourist information shop because its owners said the town's drinks trade is dwindling.

The brother and sister team behind Marley's Wine Bar, in Church Street, said they were forced to abandon the venue after five years because of a drastic fall in custom.

Hilary Dodding and Kevin Flegg have stripped the bar after a farewell event. They both said profits started to drop two years ago, only months after Marley's was given a £280,000 facelift.

Hilary said: "Everything was great for about three years, and then it just slowly died off."

The Darwen businesswoman blamed a change in culture, and said other East Lancashire towns were suffering a similar decline.

She added: "There is only one good night in Blackburn now, but just being busy on Saturday is not enough. There aren't as many people going out."

The building is set to be converted into a tourist information centre and cafe, run by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

A town hall spokesman confirmed that the Railway Street information office was set to close and move to Church Street.

Raymond Goldstone, president of Blackburn and District Chamber of Trade, said: "Trade has dropped because we only get young people in the town centre and they are very fickle."

Mr Goldstone said he was also concerned about the council's decision to leave a shop empty in Railway Street.