TRAFFIC, parking and demolition were the main issues discussed at a consultation forum on Darwen's draft town centre masterplan.

Traders, residents and councillors packed into Derwent Hall to find out what Blackburn with Darwen Council's regeneration bosses were hoping to do to transform the centre into an "attractive shopping area."

They were presented with three options, raising concerns about traffic flow through the centre and whether there would be enough parking.

Council officials and traffic experts said a detailed study of the traffic along the A666 had been undertaken and they promised that there would still be plenty of car parks which they vowed would remain free.

It was confirmed that the Texaco petrol filling station, in Duckworth Street, would be demolished to make way for road widening and that new developments could be created on the site of the Darwen Community Centre, Knott Street, on the former Co-op site in Church Street, on the site of the former health centre and on the existing Foundry Street car park.

Adam Scott, director of regeneration, said although the markets were in the masterplan proposals no decision had been taken on their future.