A FORMER all-girl band member from East Lancashire has turned her back on pop -- to create the ultimate children's party venue.

And Marie Marks, who shot to fame with pop group Bliss, believes her time spent touring with the likes of Craig David and Steps will stand her in good stead for her new business venture.

Marie, 21, and her new husband Paul are transforming Westgate Mill, in Sandygate, Burnley, into three floors of fun and activity for children.

The couple, who live in Briercliffe, plan to have themed floors, including a Fame Academy-style recording studio, and a 30ft pirate ship surrounded by a ball pool for their project, called 'It's My Party'.

Bliss, formed in 1999, released a mini-album called 'One Sweet High' and enjoyed a meteoric rise through the club circuit. They supported big-name acts like Heather Small, Louise, and Craig David, but split after opening a sell-out show for Steps at Wembley Arena in 2001.

After leaving the band, Marie worked at Crow Wood Leisure Centre as a gym and aerobics instructor, and is now a group sales manager for Virgin V cosmetics.

Paul, a music technology lecturer at Burnley College, has previous experience of running his own business as a partner in Viva Recording Studios, in Padiham. The couple met when Paul managed Marie's girl group.

Former Ivy Bank School pupil Marie said: "It's My Party is such a huge venture. We got advice and encouragement from Burnley Enterprises, which has been invaluable. The artist doing all the work is also working on the film set of the new Willy Wonka movie, which just shows how good he is.

"We love working with children and it has been our dream to create a magical and exciting party venue with spectacular scenery based on today's most popular films."

Marie added: "Paul and I feel we have a lot of combined experience that can make it a success.

"I know the children would have heaps of fun on any of the three floors. Although we are focusing on children, the recording studio is available for anyone to record their songs and for them to see how a recording studio works."

'It's My Party' will be launched on September 1.