THE first phase of a regeneration scheme to boost St Annes town centre was launched on Valentine's Day.

Hundreds of school children released balloons bearing the slogan "Putting the heart back into St Annes" to celebrate the cutting of the first sod of the regeneration project.

The first phase is set to run between Woolworths and JR Taylors in the Square, but the full project will take several years to complete, although this first phase is on course to be ready for the summer.

Project leader Paul Drinnan said: "Today is the start of the first phase of our town centre master plan. Over the years many people have begun to feel that St Annes town centre had started to decline.

"With this project we have looked into the different uses of the town centre and talked to many different organisations to find out what people want from St Annes, such as better parking and more shops."

An artist will also be working alongside the community to help to design the look and feel of the alterations.

Fylde Mayoress Margaret Procopides spoke of her relief that the project was finally under way.

" In all my time here we have had so many different projects proposed, but this one is for real and I think it's fantastic."

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