COUNCIL bosses are hoping to turn Blackburn town centre into a desirable place to live.

They have commissioned a study into what possibilities there are for converting existing town centre buildings into flats and upper-floor houses.

And if successful in obtaining £4.5million of regeneration money from the Government, some will be used to help the owners of buildings transform empty rooms above shops.

Providing homes in town centres is widely believed to be key to creating vibrant and popular town centres, as well as generating 24-hour economies. Other towns such as Bolton, Rochdale, Chorley and Wigan are all promoting town centre living.

It is hoped the study will identify existing buildings which could be adapted to provide living accommodation, although not at the expense of retail space.

Throughout the town centre, there are dozens of buildings where the upper floors are not used at present. People putting through planning applications for town centre sites are already being encouraged to ensure there is separate access to the upper floors of their properties, even if they do not intend to use them.

When nightclub giant Luminar submitted its planning application for a new pub in Darwen Street, planning officers persuaded them to include a new staircase in the building, which would mean the floors above the bar could be converted into flats.

The application was refused on different grounds, but head of planning Peter Kuit, said: "We are trying to encourage more use of buildings in the town centre for homes."

A Blackburn with Darwen Council report states that "the survey is aimed at understanding the conditions and parameters necessary for private sector housing to occur on a much greater scale in the town centre.

"Town centre housing is increasingly seen as crucial for vibrant and effective town centres.

"Part of this will involve developing the perceptions of Blackburn town centre into a place where private developers will come and create housing."

There are also hopes that a student-style village catering for a community of young people can also be created on brownfield land.

Manchester City has undergone a complete change after a similar scheme was launched and now has some of the most exclusive places to live in the North West. Converted warehouses and new blocks of flats can command up to £1million per apartment.

The new study in Blackburn is part of the overall regeneration strategy for the town centre, which has the basic aim of exploiting every opportunity to develop the area.

John Vaughan, who runs The Record Exchange in Higher Church Street and lives in the town centre, said: "I think there is a need to get more people living in the town centre to make the area more vibrant. I welcome this."

And Ronnie O'Keeffe, president of Blackburn's Chamber of Trade, said: "We do need more people living in the town centre. It will improve the town centre no end and its economy."