PRESTON town centre could soon become home to a new multi-million-pound high tech library and museum.

The proposal is part of the Tithebarn development project which could see the centre, near the bus station, transformed.

Lancashire County Council chiefs are aiming to team up with the local council to build a state-of-the-art complex to house the central library -- currently located in the Harris Museum -- and the Museum of Lancashire, currently in Stanley Street.

The county council has said that around £15 million would be needed for the plans -- to be developed by the authority's education department -- with work starting in the next two years.

A spokesman for the county council said: "The cost is a realistic element of the plans at present. But in two or three years when we look at moving plans forward the cost could increase.

"At the moment however, it is not even at the drawing board stage. We do not have firm plans yet. It will form a suggested element of the proposals.

"Proposals we would have in mind would be for better library facilities than we have in town. It would have cutting edge, high-tech systems.

"And it would be developed into a prestigious building for Preston. The Harris museum is a prestigious and historic building, and has been for hundreds of years. We would be looking for a landmark building for another hundred years.

"We are happy sharing the building but it is too small for a town the size of Preston. The museum is a grade one listed building so it is difficult to develop the library."

And it is hoped a new site for the Museum of Lancashire would attract more visitors than the current historic location next door to the prison.

Edmund Southworth, county museums officer, said: "It would be almost like a new generation of museum for Preston.

"We have got a tried and tested museum, but it is time for a change. We are hoping to work with the Harris Museum to make sure we have got two complimentary museums in the town centre."