MORE than 20 timely reminders of the 20th century are set to start springing up around Blackburn as the countdown to the millennium begins.

School pupils and community groups are busy working on 21 sculptures with a difference - each will mark the location of a time capsule.

The unusual project is aimed at celebrating the turn of the century by remembering the last 100 years.

It is the brainchild of Groundwork Blackburn workers and is intended to bring local communities together.

Each time capsule will contain articles, personal items, photographs, stories and video tapes representing Blackburn since 1900.

They will be marked on millennium sites in the borough by the sculptures which are set to be completed before the official launch of the project on May 31. The sculptures will reflect different local themes, everything from Blackburn Rovers FC to industry.

All the sculptures, created with the help of local artists, will eventually form a trail.

The "Time and Place" project is the latest phase in the Blackburn Millennium Landscape Programme, a bigger scheme to improve derelict and under-used land in the borough.

In 1995 the Millennium Commission awarded Groundwork a grant to carry out the regeneration work which continues until the turn of the century.

Areas under development stretch from Darwen parkway behind Blackburn Rovers to Fishmoor and Guide reservoirs in the east of the borough.

Project co-ordinator Jason Brindle said: "Many of the local communities can't wait to get stuck in.

"The project gives people a chance to learn new skills while having fun."

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