AS A MEETING place for Latin lovers, Rome's Spanish Steps have been a magnet for the world's beautiful people for nearly 300 years -- but Rawtenstall now wants a pizza the action!

For ambitious plans for the town centre could soon see the Eternal City's famous landmark reproduced in the middle of the Rossendale Valley.

Rossendale-based development company The Hurstwood Group are behind the plans to restore a former pathway up to one of the town's most significant buildings, Holly Mount House, in the style of the Spanish Steps.

Built in 1725, the Scalinata Spagna have long been a meeting place for Romans, with the most beautiful women and men of 18th century Italy gathering there hoping to be chosen as an artist's model. Today it's one of the city's most popular tourist attractions.

Work has already started on the stone-stepped pathway leading from Rawtenstall town centre to the listed building's front entrance and gardens, which overlook the town.

It is hoped that work will be complete by the summer.

Holly Mount House dates back to 1835 when it was built for cotton kings The Whitehead Brothers.

Hurstwood Group managing director Stephen Ashworth said: "Holly Mount House is a special part of Rawtenstall's architectural history.

"It is almost 170 years old and was originally built as the home to one of the area's most prominent local families.

"It has long been my dream to restore it to its former glory and re-establish a connection between the house and the town. We felt it was important that the pathway to link Holly Mount to the town centre should be in keeping with the building itself."

"The architect who came up with the final design took his influence directly from the Spanish Steps and we believe that it will be a magnificent sight that the whole town will be proud of.

"The new pathway is being laid in the same position therefore restoring one of the most important and historical features in Rossendale."

The Spanish Steps project will include the planting and maintenance of over 70 new trees. The stone will be in keeping with the environment.