BLACKBURN is set to get its own 'Curry Mile' under a multi-million-pound scheme to transform an Asian district.

Whalley Range could be turned into a mini version of Manchester's Rusholme area, which is famed for its restaurants and specialist Asian clothing and food shops.

Council bosses hope people from across Lancashire and further afield would visit the area, to be known as the Asian Gateway.

The £4.5million project was announced along with plans to push forward with bringing a major hotel to Blackburn under a 13-year blueprint for the future.

Today it was revealed Blackburn with Darwen Council is in talks with several big-name hotel chains after the town's lack of hotel facilities was criticised.

And projects which encourage people to live in the town centre will also be supported, with the intention of the upper floors of shops being used as homes.

The Asian Gateway would see Whalley Range get a facelift as well as Asian businesses such as fashion houses, restaurants and shops, being given support to open in the area.

Coun Andy Kay, council regeneration boss, said: "This is a carefully put together bid which will help progress the redevelopment of the town centre.

"The Asian Gateway initiative would strengthen Whalley Range's links to the town centre and would include general landscaping, business and employment opportunities including renovation schemes for things like Asian fashion shops and restaurants."

It is possible a prominent work of art would be incorporated into the scheme to give it a focal point, in the same way Manchester's China Town has

an ornate archway at the entrance.

Small statues could also be introduced on a route from the town centre into Whalley Range, guiding people into it.

The move has been welcomed by the Asian community and business leaders.

Coun Hussain Akhtar, a ward councillor for Whalley Range, said: "This is something we have wanted for a long, long time. It will give us a chance to show off what this community can do.

"It will make us stand out and improve the town centre. A curry mile and redevelopment is very, very welcome here."

Shopkeeper Mohammed Aslam, of the Manchester Sweet Centre, said: "We welcome the scheme, but the problem is going to be parking. If more people come from the other towns where are they going to park?"

Umber Riaz, of Jewellery Palace, said: "I think it is worth it because Whalley Range is important to the Asian community and we get people coming from out of town. It should have been done a long time before."

Mohammed Isa, of the Medina Food Store, added: "It should have been done eight to 10 years ago, but we all appreciate the plans."

Mohammed Iqbal, of Zara Fashions, said: "The other side of the town centre is very developed, but this section has been left out. It's positive and would be popular.

"Schemes like this work in big cities and Blackburn would have a better image.

"The amount of people that already use this street is amazing. They come from Burnley and other areas. We have worked very hard to make the area better, so if it gets better still, it's welcome."

Akhlaq Choudry, of the Gift Centre, said: "It is a good idea to spend money on it and attract more people"

Other so called gateways to the town will also get facelifts including Eanam, King Street and Suddell Cross, while the paving scheme which is currently underway in the top half of Darwen Street will be extended to the Darwen Street bridge.

The projects are part of a £4.5million bid to the North West Development Agency for extra funds to update the regeneration of Blackburn town centre.

The original town centre strategy was launched in 1998. Since then, more than £11million has been spent in the town centre, including £2million on the new look Church Street.

Coun Kay said: "Community safety and tackling crime and disorder would also be built into the project which should create tourism opportunities and a night-time economy there as well.

"The strategy update represents a real opportunity for Blackburn and the consultation will provide a real opportunity for people to shape the future of the town."

The bid for new funding was announced at the same time as Blackburn with Darwen Council announced it was putting its updated town centre strategy out to consultation.

Ronnie O'Keeffe, president of the town's chamber of trade, said: "The Asian initiative has to be welcomed because it will make us stand apart from other towns. But we need more detail on plans and how we are going to defend ourselves from things like Preston in the future and the specifics aren't there at the moment."