SHOPPING centre bosses are planning to pull down Blackburn's clock tower and do not intend to put up another timepiece to replace it.

London-based The Mall has drawn up fresh plans to spend millions improving the Blackburn shopping centre, and now plans to pull down the clock tower in King William Street.

It was originally built in the 1960s when Blackburn Shopping Centre replaced the Victorian market hall, which included a much-loved clock tower which had been a focal point for the town for more than a century.

The new clock tower, today described as one of the worst buildings in Blackburn', would be pulled down under plans by The Mall and replaced with a new staircase to the multi-storey car park above the shopping centre.

The existing clock tower houses a lift and staircase to the car park, but The Mall admitted today it had no plans to put a clock on the new tower.

A spokesman for The Mall confirmed new designs had been put into the council for the shopping centre, which included removing the clock tower.

He added: "There are no plans at present for a new clock. Our plans are being discussed with the council."

Council bosses and civic society leaders today called on the company, investing around £50million on improving the shopping centre, to think again.

Coun Andy Kay, executive member for regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "A timepiece has been a focal point in King William Street for a very long time and we would like some sort of timepiece replacement. That is important to us.

"Although we own a small part of the shopping centre, we only have limited influence but a timepiece on King William Street is our plan."

He discounted using the old clock from Blackburn Railway Station, still in storage since it was taken down in 2000, because it needs to be covered up at all times.

He added: "In hindsight, it is easy to say that the old clock tower should have stayed but that is why we are determined to preserve our current heritage."

His stance was today backed by Blackburn Civic Society.

Richard Prest, chairman of Blackburn Civic Society, said: "We have studied the plans and we are pleased the existing clock tower is going. It isn't a very good entrance for people coming into the town and parking above the shopping centre.

"A new timepiece feature somewhere in the area would be nice, but perhaps people no longer need public clocks.

"I think it would be different if they were talking about pulling down the old clock tower, but unfortunatley that damage was done a long time ago."

Albert Branscombe, chairman of the Blackburn Local History Society, said: "Allowing the old clock tower to be knocked down is one of the most scandalous descisions ever taken in this town.

"There is no comparison between it and the old one, which was a true landmark for the town."

The Mall's revised plans include improvements to the entrance at the top of Church Street, King William Street and by Blackburn County Court. They have doubled the number of shops inside the extension which will replace Lord Square from 20 to nearer 40, following higher-than-expected interest from retailers.

And they plan to create a bronze frieze of art alongside the Church Street side of the project.