DARWEN town hall is to be restored to its former glory in a £250,000 makeover.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has announced plans to revert the 1882 building to its original design, with five shops at the front opening onto the market square.

Restoration work is due to be completed in March 2009 and officials are urging any local business who would like to open in one of the new shops to contact them.

The shop frontage of the town hall building was closed after 1970s, leaving just the main market entrance open.

The council has earmarked £200,000 from its 2008-2009 budget and is seeking £53,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Officials have already bought up some market stalls to create acces to the new shops.

But work on the whole project cannot begin until the council has secured one final stall, which is on the left hand side of the building.

Once negotiations have been completed, the toilets will be moved into the annex, with new baby changing facilities and improved facilities for disabled people provided by Christmas.

Then works on the frontage will begin in January 2009.

Investment in Darwen town centre is one of the key aims of the Lancashire Telegraph's We're Backing Darwen campaign.

The scheme is going ahead after a consultation with Darwen market traders and residents and the market will remain open whilst the work takes place.

Full details were given to market traders for the first time tonight.

Terry Longden, the council's markets manager, said: "We would like to see quality products such as locally grown fruit and veg producers and a fish stall but we are open to ideas.

"The shops would spill onto the market square and into the market itself.

"We would open up the frontage and create the shell for the new shops."

Coun Alan Cottam, the council's executive member for regeneration, said: "Back in the 1880s a design competition was held for the town hall. The winning entry was the innovative concept of putting the municipal office and markets at the heart of the town centre.

"This sympathetic refurbishment will revive that and encourage more shoppers to visit the market hall."

Anyone interested in a shop space can contact Terry Longden on 01254 585626.