DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott challenged five East Lancashire councils to make the multi-million Elevate programme work when he visited Blackburn yesterday.

Mr Prescott visited the town to officially unveil the newly renovated Waterloo Pavilions and the spruced-up Church Street.

After meeting council leaders and civic dignitaries at Blackburn Town Hall Mr Prescott strolled through the town centre to pedestrianised Church Street.

On the way the Deputy PM joked with onlookers and at one point jumped on a bench to shout: "Don't panic. I've come here to give you money!"

Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Sir Bill Taylor took Mr Prescott through Fleming Square where he was introduced to the owner of Exchange Coffee, Mark Smith.

A delay while travelling from Sheffield to Blackburn meant that the government entourage missed out on a dance interpretation of Church Street's new statues.

Prior to Mr Prescott's arrival a crowd of onlookers were entertained by dancers from the Tiscali group. Bewildered gazes were eventually replaced with looks of delight as the troupe burst into life, appearing to stream jets of water from arms, heads and legs.

Inside the Pavilions, councillors, clergy and business representatives gathered and when Mr Prescott did appear he said the Waterloo Pavilions were an example of how regeneration projects should be handled.

He said: "These buildings prove that old assets can still play an important part in our future environments and they are our heritage."

More than £4million has been spent renovating Church Street and the Pavilions and Mr Prescott was clearly impressed.

He also hinted on a return to East Lancashire to make sure the £103million he handed the region was being spent properly.

He said: "Local authorities have to work together because councils can improve people's quality of life and genuinely restore community spirit.

"Perhaps I may return and take the stand with Jack Straw on that soap box he's got and shout about it from the street."

Coun Bill Taylor, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, said: "We have had our detractors with Church Street and we need to continue the work by improving the mix of shops there and complete the Lord Square work.

"It has been a fantastic day, but we are not complacent. We have a lot of work to do."