INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed actress Rosemary Leach is returning to her East Lancashire roots to see how people power has transformed the site of an old clay pipe works.

The star of stage, screen and radio is to officially open the first phase of Hoddlesden Millennium Green in Queen Street. Her family hails from the village and she still has relatives living in the area.

"I think this sort of project is so important for communities like Hoddlesden, which have traditionally been very close-knit," she said.

"It is a way of retaining communal life and making sure neighbours are not strangers. A lot of hard work has been put into the village green and I very much looking forward to seeing it for myself."

Rosemary, who arranged for a family donation to be made to help boost the scheme, will travel to Darwen on Friday from her home in Middlesex, ready for the celebration in Hoddlesden the following day.

She added: "My father's family are from Hoddlesden and he lived there before meeting my mother, who was from Bolton.

"My aunt Lizzie was headteacher at the village school and l used to visit her at the schoolhouse as a child. I have some very fond memories. I can clearly recall the sound of clogs on cobbles made by the mill workers going to work.

"When I was told about the project I was glad to help in any way I could."

The programme for the official opening starts with a morning magic workshop for village youngsters, followed by a parade, led by Blackburn and Darwen Band, which will leave the Ranken Arms at 11.30am, ready for the official opening and balloon launch at noon. During the afternoon, there will be a grand teddy bear's picnic with Punch and Judy on the green and Lancashire dialect poet Jim Atherton will read a special composed poem during the day.

Other guests include Darwen and Rossendale MP Janet Anderson, the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Coun Jack Bury and councillors Kevin Connor and Fred Slater.

Hoddlesden Millennium Green is one of only 250 created throughout England to celebrate the year 2000.

The programme is an initiative of the Countryside Agency, supported by £10m lottery money for the Millennium Commission.

The Hoddlesden project is one of the biggest in the North West. It was granted £42,000 -- half of the total cost. When fully completed, the green will feature large natural areas, an events section and a series of focal-point sculptures.

Chairman of Hoddlesden Village Green Trust Bert Clarke said: "It has taken two years of hard work to get to this stage. It forms a valuable breathing space between home and the agricultural land beyond.

"We are delighted at the success of the project and the support from the local community. It will be a lasting monument to be enjoyed now and by future generations.

"Everybody is invited to come along with a picnic and join in the fun."

Fund-raiser Linda Dawson, who was one of the founder members of the trust, added: "We are very grateful to Rosemary for her support.

"There is still a long way to go but everybody is very excited about the green. It is beautiful."

Contributions to the trust have also come from Lancashire Waste Services, the Lloyd Trust, John Frederick Leach Charity Fund, Vernon Carus, Shaws of Darwen, Rotary Club of Darwen, Watsons Solicitors, Hindle & Jepson Accountants, Wolstenholme Rink plc and many individuals.