A £2MILLION bid for funding will bring office development, more civic spaces and the transformation of some of Nelson town centre's main shopping streets.

Pendle Council officers have had discussions with the North West Development Agency in relation to cash available for transforming the town, and outline approvals for £1.7million have already been obtained.

The council is now preparing a more detailed bid and the proposed work has been split into two schemes, expected to begin within the next ten months.

Its first scheme, which takes in the bulk of the works in the public realm except the development of the civic space at Market Square, would include the development of Place De Creil, Manchester Square, Leeds Square, Scotland Road and Market Street.

Other developments in the town centre, in particular the Pendle Rise shopping centre extension towards Woolworths, impact in such a way as to make it necessary to begin these works in this financial year, 2003/2004.

It is anticipated that the development of Place de Creil and Manchester Square will follow the completion of the Pendle Rise extension, along with the extension of the canopies along Manchester Square, Scotland Road, Market Street and Railway Street.

The development of Scotland Road and Leeds Square would be left until the following financial year.

The second scheme would consist of the creation of a civic space and possibly office development in Market Square.

Pendle Council has already acquired several buildings within the area, including Lamberts Market, the former Baines Carpet Warehouse and Sankeys warehouse and shops in Market Street and Russell Street.

Pendle's Mayor, Coun Mohammad Iqbal, said the investment is something which is much needed in the town.

He added: "Since the cinema was burned down around two years ago it has been open space. It is in much need of development as is the surrounding area.

"We are already seeing massive property investment from Modus and now with the money from the NWDA it is a much-needed boost for the area."

Officers are now drawing up detailed plans and specifications for submission to the North West Development Agency.