A £4million masterplan could turn Darwen into the "new Hebden Bridge", council bosses believe.

Civic leaders today announced their wishes for the town ahead of a five-week public consultation over the town centre masterplan'.

They said the proposals, which would create more retail space and make the markets a vital part, would bring more quality to the town.

It is anticipated that Darwen could also become more of a commuter town for people working in Bolton and Manchester, due to the amount of new housing and apartments being created.

Along with other investment such as the Darwen Academy and Housing Market Renewal funds, around £70million is making its way to Darwen during the next few years.

Now residents are being asked to look at three possible options for change in the town centre and to give their views on which they believe would be the most appropriate.

l Option one is referred to as minimal change' which would involve improvements to the roads and shop frontages but would have limited options to develop retail.

l Option Two would involve creating shops along the front of the town hall and market hall and bringing more vitality to the market square. This would include retaining and improving the existing three-day market.

l The third option, for major change', would bring a more upmarket feel to the town centre and involve numerous changes including linking the markets to Market Street, more town centre living, improvements to the River Darwen and creating a central space for open markets and events in front of the market hall. Graham Burgess, executive director of regeneration, said: "The Darwen Town Centre Partnership Board favoured option three which we believe will meet all the requirements for Darwen.

"We are hoping to go for an upmarket, quality area similar to Hebden Bridge and Clitheroe. We want to recreate and strengthen the heart of the town centre.

"These are all still ideas and we are now going out to the people of Darwen to ask whether this is what they want."

Coun Andy Kay, chairman of the Darwen Town Centre Partnership, said: "Darwen needs to develop its quality feel, similar but not the same as other towns of character such as Hebden Bridge. At the same time we need to recreate and strengthen the heart of Darwen so it can face the challenges of the future head on."

Sudell ward councillor Eileen Entwistle said: "This is a great opportunity for people in Darwen to help shape the future of this great town."

The masterplan draft will be launched at a meeting at Derwent Hall on February 22, from 6pm. There will also be exhibitions in the leisure centre, town hall and library and every householder in Darwen and the surrounding rural areas will receive a leaflet detailing the options.

The consultation ends on March 31.