BACUP-born opera star Sean Ruane will be giving people in the town a taste of his talent when he officially opens the new £2.8m showcase office development.

He will be making a return visit to his home town, interrupting his rehearsals for a major London event, to give a special solo performance for invited guests at the opening of the Kingfisher Centre at Futures Park, Bacup, on Friday.

He has recently returned to the UK from performances in France and Ireland and is currently in London rehearsing for a major role with Opera Holland Park this summer.

He will travel to Bacup specially for the Futures Park opening and return to London after his brief performance.

He said: "I was absolutely flattered to be asked to open the building, which I hope will a real success for Rossendale.

"I still live in the area and I am proud to say I am from Rossendale. I am happy to support anything which will help the area.

"I have been asked to play in some unusual places and at some unusual events over the years, but never at the opening of an office building.

"I'm not sure what the acoustics will be like, but I will definitely give it my best."

Futures Park is a 30,000 square foot development and boasts broadband connectivity, conference and meeting facilities and 24-hour access, as well as car parking and security.

John Calway managing director of Kingfisher Business Centres said: "We are delighted Sean has managed to fit us in to his busy schedule for this event.

"Sean is a real-life Bacup success story, so we thought it would be fitting that he would be involved in this event."

Funding for the centre, which is sited on a former mill in the Lee Mill area, has been provided by the Northwest Development Agency, the European Regional Development Fund and Rossendale Borough Council.