A LEADING councillor today said there was only one way of solving the on-going problem of Blackburn's crumbling Pavilion buildings -- demolish them.

Conservative leader Coun Colin Rigby, left, said there was no artistic merit in the Grade Two Listed buildings and was not surprised when chef Nigel Haworth pulled out of ambitious plans to turn them into a top-class restaurant.

But today the chairman of Blackburn Civic Society hit back and said they need to stay as part of the town's history - even though the man heading Blackburn's regeneration said he could see no "architectural benefit" in them.

The three pavilions in Church Street have stood empty for more than a decade and have gradually become run down.

Last year, Blackburn with Darwen Council, offered to sell the three units -- which date back to around 1836 -- to the cathedral for £45,000 as long as the diocese could raise the estimated £1million it would cost to renovate.

But the project was taken over by the council again when costs doubled after new problems were discovered in the building.

Talks were held with Mr Haworth, co-owner of Northcote Manor, Langho, about creating a new concept restaurant-bar inside, which he said would have added a new dimension to the town's nightlife.

He has since backed out but council officers this week revealed they had 15 different firms interested in letting the buildings.

Coun Rigby today said the idea was ridiculous in the first place.

He said: "For the kind of prices charged at Northcote, who would want to sit there and have an awful view of the tile wall of the precinct?"

Since the plans were scrapped, council bosses have begun discussions with 15 firms interested in opening inside the premises with any new tenants expected to provide the fixtures and fittings inside the unit.

The council is hoping any developments would kick-start the regeneration of the pedestrianised Church Street.

But Coun Rigby had his own plans for the buildings -- tear them down.

He said: "They have stood empty for as long as I have been a councillor, 10 or 11 years, and I have no great enthusiasm for them.

"I cannot see any artistic merit in them. Someone said they had historical value and were decreed listed buildings.

"Let's get that changed, flatten them and put a garden there instead. "

But Coun Andy Kay, in charge of regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said that was not the case now -- and that work to restore the buildings should begin in spring.

He said: "These buildings are listed and have protection under law. Although councillors have made the decision to demolish in the past, approval was not given at the time to take this further and we subsequently went back out to the market.

"I personally cannot see the architectural benefit of these buildings, but people like the Civic Society can. "

Doug Chadwick, chairman of Blackburn Civic Society, said: "The building cannot come down because they are listed and it would require an application to the Secretary of State and the owners -- Blackburn with Darwen Council.

"The civic society treasures the pavilions as an integral part of Blackburn's history and heritage."

Ronnie O'Keeffe, president of Blackburn's chamber of trade, said: "We need something inside the Pavilions which brings life back into Church Street. This project has to happen."