A MAJOR strategy designed to turn Blackburn and Darwen into the business training and education capital of East Lancashire has been unveiled.

The blueprint has been put together by council leaders and town hall officials and has won the backing of ELTEC, City Challenge, Blackburn College and East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce.

Blackburn Partnership, Groundwork Trust, the borough's health authority and the Council for Voluntary Service have also promised to support the initiative.

The regeneration plans are split into several areas and objectives centred on employment, training, communications and transport.

And the objectives of the strategy include revamping the town centre, improving the transport network and enhancing the public image of the town.

Crime and public safety, housing and health are all tackled in the strategy document.

Malcolm Doherty, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "The local authority has taken a lead in developing active, vibrant partnerships to take regeneration forward.

"The continuing commitment to partnership will be taken forward against an agreed set of priorities with the regeneration strategy forming the base for policy direction and the back-drop against which bids for external funding will be submitted."

Regeneration chairman Andy Kay added: "We are looking forward to working in partnership with our colleagues in education, social services and transport to improve the quality of life for all our residents."

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