TOWN halls in East Lancashire will share out a jackpot of more than £45 million worth of European grants over the next year.

The cash is part of a £290 million package which will be targeted at industrial areas in the North West hit by the depression during the 1980s.

And council leaders in Blackburn have already announced they are bidding for a £5 million share of the total.

The cash will be used for major revamp of the rundown area of Blackburn around Darwen Street, the Cathedral and the railway station.

The aim would be to link up recent town centre improvements with projects on the southern fringe of Blackburn's shopping centre.

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