DEVELOPERS have announced plans to give an out-of-town shopping centre a £20million face lift.

But the proposals, which should signal a boon for local business, have left traders in Blackburn and Accrington worried for their futures.

The Peel Centre retail Park in Whitebirk Drive, Hyndburn, will undergo a transformation which developers promise will "dramatically improve" its appearance.

According to the site's owners, Peel Holdings, the work will stop shoppers travelling long distances for shopping trips to other towns.

The company, which also owns the mammoth Trafford Centre on the outskirts of Manchester, popular with East Lancashire shoppers, claims that 54 per cent of Blackburn people and 69 per cent of Accringtonians shop outside the area.

But as well as revamping the site, Peel -- founded by Rossendale-based John Whittaker -- said it also wanted to re-classify land from "bulky goods" sales to mixed use so smaller outlets, traditionally found in town centres, can be opened.

Blackburn and District Chamber of Trade and its Hyndburn counterpart claimed the work could draw people away from town centres, which they say should be a priority.

It is also thought that Blackburn with Darwen Council would also be likely to object to the proposal because of its policy of protecting its own town centres. A planning application has been submitted to Hyndburn Council. If granted the existing MFI and Focus stores will be replaced with eight modern units. Electricity pylons will also be removed from the site and cables re-routed underground.

Raymond Goldstone, president of Blackburn's chamber of trade, said: "This is bound to do damage to town centres, especially Blackburn.

"We don't want to hold any essential development back but we are nervous about it at this stage. It doesn't sound good for town centres, which is where we want people to shop."

Hyndburn's chamber of trade boss, Phil Bond, said: "This is exactly what we don't want. We want investment but not at the expense of town centres."

Peel, however, insist the plans will stop shoppers going outside the towns and compliment, rather than compete with, what is already on offer. Gareth Finch, a Peel spokesman said: "As a key gateway site to the boroughs of Hyndburn and Blackburn Whitebirk is in an excellent position to prevent shoppers having to go out of the area and will compliment the retail offerings in Blackburn and Accrington town centres."