BLACKBURN'S Cathedral Quarter has been shortlisted as a finalist in a national competition.

Judges for the British Council of Shopping Centres toured the area this week and were shown the recently-completed sculptures in Church Street.

Blackburn faces competition from Birmingham, Coventry, Middlesbrough, Romford and Staines for the prize which will be announced in November.

John Wheeler, chairman of property company Centros Miller Ltd, who heads the jury, said: "The purpose is to promote awareness by local authorities of the importance of public space in their towns."

Andy Kay, Blackburn with Darwen Council executive member for regeneration, said: "The purpose of entering a competition like this is to raise the national profile of Blackburn town centre within the retail industry."