THE future of Blackburn's Pavilion buildings in Church Street is a longer running saga than many of TV's best known soaps.

For more years than many can remember they have stood decaying and derelict.

Today the council's opposition Tory leader has made his view on their future plain - he doesn't believe they should have any.

Coun Colin Rigby isn't one of those predictable councillors who voices the opposite view to the ruling Labour group as a matter of course.

But this time we have to say he is wrong.

Many mistakes have been made in Blackburn since the 1960s with the demolition of buildings and their replacement by structures that have just not stood the test of time.

Other towns and cities have thoughtfully restored Victorian buildings so that they blend in with more modern surroundings to produce attractive and interesting centres.

Like Lloyds Bank at the top of the revamped Church Street the Pavilions are part of the town's heritage and deserve to share their past with the town's future.

If they are flattened and replace with gardens, as Coun Rigby suggests, they will be gone forever.

But it is also quite true that the Labour group has spent far too long saying what will be done without producing any action.

The hopes raised by the involvement of the church authorities and the co-owner of Northcote Manor, Langho, over the past two years have led to immense frustration.

Now, although he cannot see their "architectural merit" Coun Andy Kay says the money is finally in place to complete the project and work should begin in the spring.

This saga has gone on far too long.

The word "should" must be changed to "will" and this time next year work must be well under way to restore and protect the buildings as a vital part of the town centre.

As Ronnie O'Keeffe of the Chamber of Trade says: "This project has to happen."