BLACKBURN'S new town centre developments have scooped a national design award.

Work carried out in Church Street, Darwen Street and Fleming Square beat off Birmingham and other towns across the country to land a British Council of Shopping Centres (BCSC) design award.

Members of Blackburn with Darwen Council were due to be presented with their award at an award ceremony today.

A panel of judges from the BCSC were shown the £250,000 Church Street development, which includes the five Transcription Sculptures and the new gardens in Fleming Square when they visited the town in September.

Now in their 12th year, the award was given to Blackburn because, according to BCSC, the work shows a commitment to improving the town centre.

A BCSC spokesman said: "This award accepts that good design is a fundamental component of successful town centres, creating the attraction and variety in streets and urban spaces that make a place unique."

Past winners include Manchester, where the cathedral gardens project, near the city's new Urbis museum, was chosen by a panel of judges last year.

Council leaders said they were delighted with the prize but admitted the work was not completed without problems.

And Raymond Goldstone, president of the Blackburn and District Chamber of Trade, who protested about the pedestrianisation of Church Street, said: "You can get an award for design even if it is not right. The work has created a lot of disruption to the traffic flow around the town, which has not been helpful."

Residents complained about Church Street being closed to traffic, work fell months behind schedule and the council promised to re-visit the project after it was revealed water from two sculptures was blowing on to shoppers in high winds. Even the sculpture representing the town's industrial past arrived more than a year late.

Sir Bill Taylor, council leader, said: "This award is an important milestone on the way to completing the regeneration of the town centre.

"We are not complacent though, the award is just the beginning for us. We have a lot of work to do to finish our ambitious plans, not only for Blackburn but for Darwen town centre, too."

Coun Taylor said the award vindicated the council's decision to carry out the work. "I know people complained about the closure of Church Street to traffic, but it is open to shoppers and traders and is good news for the town."

Work included the renovation of the Cathedral pavilions, which are being brought back into use and are due to be completed before the end of the year.

Coun Andy Kay, the council's executive member for regeneration, said: "Quality was the key from the outset. We all wanted an attractive and accessible town centre that reflected the aspirations of local people and also celebrated our heritage."