GREEN space around Blackburn Cathedral is to be transformed thanks to a £30,000 facelift.

The project aims to make the town centre area site into 'cleaner, greener and brighter' space.

The move, which includes identifying and lopping diseased trees, will see the grounds opened up more to the public and is expected to boost the town centre regeneration project around Church Street.

Essential work is already under way after the discovery that several trees were diseased and dangerous to pedestrians.

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council workers cut down a giant ash, with several others set to meet the same fate soon.

A study into the Cathedral's tree stock unearthed a series of problems, ranging from advanced disease to trees being too close together or too tall.

The investigation, which was paid for with money from the Single Regeneration and European Regional Development funds, judged that the affected trees were in danger of toppling over.

Council workers also expect that the tree felling will make the Cathedral more visible by opening up the area around it.

However, the council stressed that workers were not unnecessarily removing any trees that had no problems.

Coun Andy Kay, executive member for regeneration, said: "Works currently taking place to the Cathedral precinct are part of an essential programme of maintenance identified by a recent research project.

"The £30,000 project, which is being led by the Cathedral, produced a masterplan for maintenance and repair to the grounds, including the trees, flowerbeds and street furniture.

"The masterplan also highlighted a series of other environmental improvements, which would enhance the attractiveness and safety of the grounds.

"The council together with the Cathedral will be seeking additional funds so that these improvements can take place in the near future."

Andrew Hindley, Cathedral sacrist, said: "We are generally looking to make the area look brighter and lighter and we think it will make a significant impact on the surrounding area.

"Something like this will really open up the Cathedral so people will be able to see its beauty and it won't be hiding behind the trees.

"This is only the initial phase and eventually we will be looking at parking in the grounds and clearing a lot of that up so there's a full view of the cathedral but that's some time away."