A DISPLAY aimed at encouraging more people to visit Darwen is expected to be installed at the M65 services next month.

The owners of the services, Lincoln-based Swayfields, have agreed to allow Blackburn with Darwen Council to put up an 8ft by 4ft board which will feature a permanent wall-mounted display rather than an exhibition.

It will tell visitors stopping off at the services about Darwen's places of interest and historical sites in a bid to boost tourism.

Once the council has confirmed a date, officers hope to invite Darwen and Rossendale MP Janet Anderson to unveil the display.

It is hoped it will be a compromise for the Darwen people following on from the battle over the name of the services itself.

People were unhappy when the new signs went up on the site referring to it as Blackburn Services despite it being in Darwen.

Discussions between the MP, the council and the owners led to a decision to alter the sign to Blackburn with Darwen Services, although this still met with some opposition from Darreners who believed it should say simply Darwen Services.

Motorists driving along the M65 near Darwen will now see a new advertising sign referring to Blackburn with Darwen Services at the slip road at junction four but the original Blackburn Services sign is still awaiting alterations.