A MASSIVE public consultation has begun in Rawtenstall to find out views on how the main shopping street should be revamped.

Nine thousand homes and 250 businesses in Rawtenstall have received questionnaires asking their views on plans to turn the clock back.

They are being asked whether they support £300,000 plans to reveal the original cobbles, pave the footpaths in real stone, provide bicycle stands, repair railings and shop sunblinds and get rid of unnecessary clutter in Bank Street.

A stretch of the Victorian cobbles has been exposed at the top of Bank Street to give residents an idea of what the scheme will look like.

But council leader John McManus said it was not just a question of going back to cobbles, but of how people wanted their main street to look in the 21st century. He said: "The design should be one which reflects the town's traditions but is also something for the future."

He added: "We regularly hear of pubs being redesigned to create an old world atmosphere.

"But we have a Georgian/Victorian street which could look magnificent.

"In Rawtenstall we have got the real thing, something which is attractive and can also work for shoppers, the public and visitors."

Councillors have pledged they will only go ahead with the scheme if it is backed by local people.

A public meeting is being arranged for July 23 when people will be invited to give their views as well as completing the questionnaires.

The scheme has attracted £213,000 of Lottery funding and Coun McManus said: "I would hate to see that money go back to the National Lottery Fund."

Several different designs will be on show at the public meeting for people to comment on.

A decision will then be made by the Rawtenstall Town Centre Sub-committee.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.