ENTRIES have closed for the Big Idea competition to transform the face of East Lancashire and our judges are certainly facing a tough challenge.

As part of the Pride of East Lancashire campaign, the Lancashire Evening Telegraph and the East Lancashire Partnership challenged you to think of projects that could change the area.

Ideas range from an indoor winter sports complex to the redevelopment of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

One reader would like to see teams of "rubbish busters" tidying up eyesore sites around East Lancashire and another wants to appeal to the 'frontier spirit' of Americans by inviting them to spend their holidays in Darwen.

Our judging panel will soon be meeting to discuss the entries and we will shortly be announcing the winner who will have a fabulous prize of a VIP dinner for two on a celebrity table at the Pride of East Lancashire gala night with prestige chauffeur-driven transport provided.