A MULTI-million-pound drive to breathe new life into Blackburn's town centre could fail unless plans are backed up by a string of policy changes, according to opposition councillors.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has put together an ambitious blue print which is designed to change the face of the town centre.

But Liberal Democrat politicians at the town hall argue that more action needs to be taken to ensure the scheme is a success.

The council wants to stop traffic using Church Street and create a friendlier environment for shoppers and pedestrians. There are also ambitious moves afoot to create an open public space around the run down Lord Square area.

The Liberal Democrats are so concerned about the possible flaws in the master plan they plan to raise the issue when the full council meets on Thursday.

Councillors Edmund Critchley and Charles Mills say there is a need to attract private investment and actively seek out new investors. The councillors have also come up with a list of nine suggestions which they say will give the plan a chance of succeeding.

The suggestions are:

1: Look at ways of improving the fabric and condition of buildings in Blackburn town centre.

2: Attracting investors who want to build new property in the town centre.

3: Take a close look at the possibility of extending the three day market on more days.

4: A thorough and wide ranging view of parking charges in the town centre.

5: Improve the quality of pavements and access for disabled people.

6: Relax planning guidelines to allow cafes and bars to spill out into pedestrian areas.

7: Reverse the planning policy which allows retail outlets to be converted into other uses.

8: Limit the hours in which heavy vehicles can make deliveries in the town centre.

9: The creation of a covered walk way across Church Street.