THE plans to transform Blackburn's rundown Waterloo Pavilions were unveiled today.

And Nigel Haworth, who owns the famous Northcote Manor in Langho, was today confirmed as the operator behind the new look restaurant/bar which will occupy the revamped pavilions.

Blackburn Cathedral, which bought the buildings from Blackburn with Darwen council earlier this year for just £45,000, is set to spend more than £1million transforming them with two, two-storey glass structures which will effectively turn the three pavilions into one unit.

Lowe Rae Architects, working on behalf of the Cathedral, have submitted planning and listed building consent applications relating to the Georgian-era pavilions, in Church Street, Blackburn.

The new-look building, currently a grade II listed property, will house a high quality caf bar on the ground floor and a new concept restaurant on the first floor that will appeal to families, businesses and the leisure market .

A decked area at the rear of the building will look out on to the Cathedral and its grounds.