PROPOSALS to expand Oswaldtwistle Mills to include a heritage display and children's play area as well as creating more than 50 new jobs have been welcomed by borough planners.

The changes at the site at Moscow Mill, Colliers Street, Oswaldtwistle, would also see the addition of a workshop and car park increasing its size by 21,000sqft. It currently occupies 48,000sqft.

The centre already has 33 retail outlets, mainly specialist arts and crafts, but also clothing concessions and garden products. It attracts 450,000 visitors a year.

Hyndburn Borough Council's environmental services yesterday committee gave the plans the go-ahead.

Coun Brian Walmsley, representing St Andrew's ward, said: "I welcome this because everyone knows that the bottom end of Oswaldtwistle is going down a lot." Coun Tim O'Kane took issue with comments made in a council report questioning the centre's role as a tourist attraction.

The report said: "The distinction between tourists and shoppers, particularly when shopping is undertaken as a leisure activity, is becoming increasingly blurred.

"In this respect, the applicant has failed to provide any empirical evidence that most visitors to the centre are anything other than shoppers, attracted to the site in the same way that they would be attracted to other town centre or local centres."

Coun O'Kane said: "Oswaldtwistle Mills is becoming for Oswaldtwistle what Accrington Stanley is for Accrington," he said.

"If 18 per cent of people using the mill are from Oswaldtwistle and 52 per cent from the neighbouring area, that still leaves over 150,000 coming from further afield. It's noticeable.

"In Clayton we have tourist signs directing people to Oswaldtwistle Mills. If we are putting up those signs I don't think there's any doubt."

Coun Win Frankland said: "It has brought in nearly half a million visitors a year and done a great amount for charity as well. I think we should give it as much support as we can."

Peter Hargreaves, retail director at Oswaldtwistle Mills, said: "We are delighted to have received planning permission and will now be able to complete a project which started 10 years ago.

"Oswaldtwistle Mills in actively involved with the local community, raising more than £60,000 for charity during the last six years, besides being a sponsor for Oswaldtwistle and Church Prospects Group."