BLACKBURN'S newly cobbled Church Street is set to be copied -- in Poland!

A Polish council worker has spent the last two weeks in Blackburn as part of an international exchange programme, learning about Blackburn with Darwen Council's transport policy.

Among the ideas Janusz Zagorski, who works as a Project Development Manager for the Municipal Development Agency in Krakow, wants to take back home is the concept of 'pedestrian priority' zones, just like Church Street.

Mr Zagorski, who returns home tomorrow, said: "I have learnt a lot while I have been here.

"One thing I would like to develop in Poland is pedestrian priority areas like on Church Street. They are a very good idea.

"But I also like the way the council tries to promote public transport through its policy.

"In Poland, fewer people have cars so they use public transport, but we need to make sure they continue doing so."

The work placement has been organized by the Technical Assistance Information Exchange office, which specialises in helping European Union accession countries in their preparation for meeting European legislation by providing information, training and study visits, such as this one.

All costs are paid by the European Commission. Councillors and council bosses from Blackburn with Darwen recently visited Krakow to discuss waste management.

Graham Burgess, executive director of regeneration and technical, said: "We are always glad to be able to share our experiences with others.

"I am confident that Mr Zagorski will have learnt a lot from our expertise in transport policy and hope that what he has seen here will go some way to helping Poland meet the legislation requirements of the EU."

He has visited Manchester to see the use of a Metrolink light rail, the redevelopment of Salford Quays, the explosion of economic activity and development, post-Marks & Spencer bomb.