TORRENTIAL rain failed to put a dampener on the celebrations when Blackburn Mayor Mary Leaver cut the ribbon at the town's new look bus station.

And council leader Malcolm Doherty pledged to look at ways of bringing further improvements to Blackburn.

The Boulevard has finally reopened after a £1.2 million revamp which has taken eight months to complete.

The official party arrived for the opening ceremony on a vintage bus complete with a police escort.

And Coun Doherty praised the partnership which led to the complete redesign of the Boulevard.

Blackburn Council has worked with Lancashire County Council, Railtrack, North West Regional Railways and the Railway Heritage Trust on the scheme. Coun Doherty said: "We can only stress the importance of the partnership which has helped bring about the change to the area.

"We have got to make sure that we build from this and take every opportunity to improve other areas of the town centre."

The council leader has pledged to look at ways of upgrading the Darwen Street area of Blackburn.

He said: "While it is not all bad news in Darwen Street I am sure the shopkeepers would welcome any improvements in that area.

"We will be looking at the feasibility of improving Darwen Street in the next couple of months."

County councillor Dennis Golden, the chairman of highways and transportation, was also at the opening.

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