AT LEAST £150,000 is heading to Darwen in a bid to create more jobs and bring derelict land and buildings back into use.

Darwen is to be one of five towns to receive support through the Market Towns Initiative, the Lancashire Rural Partnership announced.

The project is aimed at helping market towns to help themselves to regenerate local businesses, communities and the local economy and provide strong services for both the people of the town and the rural communities it serves.

Coun Andy Kay, executive member for regeneration and chairman of the Darwen Town Centre Partnership, said: "This is good news for Darwen. Achieving Market Town status clearly supports Darwen Town Centre Partnership's vision for the town centre to be the focal point for delivery of high-quality services for residents in both the town and the rural communities they serve.

"It will support and add real value to the other regeneration initiatives, strengthening the town centre by helping to attract a better variety of shops, better job opportunities, more visitors and stimulate investment; a town that local people can continue to be proud of."

Initial funding will be provided by Lancashire County Council for Darwen to undergo a 'healthcheck', which will cover research into transport and accessibility, the economy, social, community and environment issues and will build on the work done in the development of the Town Centre Strategy. It will look at the current state of the town and help to decide what action is needed to ensure that Darwen can serve residents and businesses in both the town and its surrounding countryside.

This work is expected to take place during the next few months.

The 'healthcheck' has been put together by the county council, on behalf of the Lancashire Rural Partnership, with the input made up of 50 per cent from the county council, 25 per cent from the North West Development Agency and 25 per cent from the Countryside Agency.

Once this work has been completed and an action plan has been drawn up, at least £150,000 will be allocated to Darwen during the next three to four years. It is hoped this will fund projects which will:

Create new jobs.

Support new and existing businesses.

Strengthen transport links.

Bring disused and derelict buildings and land back into use.

Create more commercial and business opportunities.

Within the programme, there will also be the opportunity to attract other regional funders as the market town network is supported by Defra, English Heritage, North West Tourist Board, Business in the Community and the North West Arts Council among others.

This is the second round of the Market Towns Initiative. The first round included Clitheroe, Longridge, Barnoldswick and Padiham.