ENGLISH Heritage has offered Burnley £1 million to preserve key historical buildings.

If the council can find another £1 million in match funding, the total will be spend on derelict chapels, houses, and buildings in conservation areas.

Three areas will be targeted: Hammerton Street and the lower end of St James Street in the town centre, Burnley Road in Padiham, and Sandygate by the canal in the Weavers' Triangle.

Planning chief Karen McCabe said the current three-year, £2 million programme of conservation work was due to end in March.

"The new scheme will enable the council to continue its work and support much larger projects," she said.

Possible sources of extra money include the county council, the lottery, the government's challenge fund and the European development fund.

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