THIS is a model of the £11million arts centre which backers hope will turn a part of Clitheroe into the cultural quarter of East Lancashire.

Nearly £3million has been secured for the project, which would involve revamping Clitheroe's parish hall and surrounding buildings.

The scheme is spearheaded by Trinity Partnership Social Enterprise company and backed by Ribble Valley Council and local arts groups.

They hope it will help end Clitheroe's night-time reputation of being a 'wild west town.'

Initial plans include 242-seat and 79-seat cinema screens, two theatres -- one of which would hold up to 418 people -- meeting rooms, a restaurant and cafe bar.

Retail space would be included on the York Street front, and office space facing onto Church Street at the back.

It is hoped that the venue can open in two to three years. Geoff Jackson, from the Pride of East Lancashire award-winning Trinity Partnership, said the plans were still at the draft stage and currently out to consultation.

He said: "It has been a long-held aim of a lot of people in the town to create a venue which would strengthen Clitheroe and help develop Ribble Valley as a self-sustaining community.

"The idea is to help buck the trend which sees parts of the area becoming dormitory communities.

"Hopefully, by providing a new facility, we can get rid of the image Clitheroe has gained at a weekend of being a wild west town only for young drinkers."

A planning application has yet to be submitted but he added that hopefully the venue would become as popular as similar schemes such as Dukes in Lancaster, the Brewery at Kendal and The Theatre By The Lake, Keswick.

Steve Ragnall, a leading arts campaigner in the town, added: "The design is subject to change and it has yet to be decided for definite what will be included."

Mr Jackson added he was confident they could raise the money needed, with £2million already secured from the John Lancaster Foundation -- the fund set up by Ultraframe's boss -- and other regeneration cash on the way.

But Clitheroe councillor Mary Robinson said: "While I support the aims, my worry is that it is too ambitious."