SHOPPERS are being urged to have their say on a 10-year plan to help shape Blackburn town centre.

A three-day roadshow was due to start today showing shoppers, visitors and workers how the council wants to turn the town into the capital of East Lancashire. At the heart of the plan is a £4.5million bid for funding from the North West Regional Development Agency.

Around £11million has already been spent across the town centre on projects such as the pedestrianisation of Church Street, the revamp of Darwen Street and the creation of Blackburn's orbital route. They were all projects outlined in the 1998 Town Centre Action Plan, which the council is now updating.

Possible projects include the creation of an Asian quarter, specialising in cuisine and fashion in the Whalley Range area, and funding to improve the area around Blackburn Cathedral.

Priority sites identified include Lord Square, described as a threat to the retail vitality of Blackburn; the Police Station, Northgate, due to be vacated in December, to be used possibly for leisure, education or retail; Prospect Mill, renovation for employment uses; land next to the extended Barbara Castle Way, for 'showpiece' developments on the main route through the town; land next to the railway station, earmarked for leisure use; and Waterloo Pavilions, funding being sought to kick-start a project for retail or leisure. Cash would also be made available to support new developments in the town centre, by helping developers buy up pieces of land for projects such as a new hotel.

Council leader Bill Taylor said: "A draft strategy update has been prepared which seeks to further establish Blackburn as the a premier shopping, working, living and visitor destination.

"It aims to bring a variety of social, economic and cultural benefits to the town, complementing the existing heritage and development. The strategy update is not a masterplan, but a flexible framework based on the three strategic themes: prosperity and employment; culture and life; and movement and transport."

The council's consultation takes place until November 16, with the roadshow running today, tomorrow and Saturday between 10am and 4pm inside Blackburn Shopping Centre. People can also email regeneration@blackburn.gov.uk or look at www.blackburn- world.com for more information.