A COUNCIL leader today pledged to establish Blackburn as the capital of East Lancashire -- with a shopping centre to match.

Coun Bill Taylor spoke out after Blackburn with Darwen Council's head of regeneration Ashley Whalley unveiled the council's vision for the future of the town.

Coun Taylor said: "Blackburn Town Centre has a unique mix of well known and profitable high street retailers and well established local traders infused with an extensive and an increasingly popular bar and leisure culture.

"This council is working with partners from all sectors to ensure that we have a town centre that our residents, and people from all over Lancashire, feel provides them with a place to shop, visit, play and work.

"Members and officers are reviewing the town centre strategy as we speak to take stock of the work we have done so far, and the work we need to do to continue to develop a centre not just for us now, but that will remain vibrant for the future generation and to sustain Blackburn's position as the capital of the East Lancashire sub-region into the 21st century."

Coun Taylor said that getting more people to invest in the town is one of the key aims -- and that doesn't just mean shops.

The new office block for administration firm Capita, the private firm which took over the running of some council services last year, is expected to bring more money into the town centre.

He said: "Part of our work involves attracting new investors into town.

"The new office block proposed for the town centre close to the Barbara Castle Way extension is a key example of the way the strategy for the town centre is helping to attract investment.

"Around 1,000 new office staff working for the council's partners Capita, will be located in this building, spending their money at lunch times and other periods, and enjoying the facilities Blackburn has to offer.

Atlantic Property Services who have submitted the plans are keen to invest in the town which shows the level of satisfaction with the work to date, he said.

"Lancashire Police have submitted a planning application to convert part of the railway station building into a new town centre police station.

"The town centre plan has been a catalyst for a great deal of investment, which is the overall aim of any strategy and our residents will see the benefits, both in terms of the number of jobs created and the growth of facilities for them to enjoy."