THE first year of Blackburn with Darwen Council's independence from Lancashire County Council has been hailed a success by its number one officer.

Chief executive Phil Watson says the first year of unitary status has gone better than expected with few hiccups.

And he says the 1999/2000 council year will be just as eventful with a shake-up of the committee system, plans to attract thousands of visitors to the borough's millennium celebrations and a bid for city status. Looking back to 12 months ago he said : "It was a smooth transition which we were relieved about because we had thought one or two things may go wrong.

"We now have very sound finances with balances of four and a half million pounds from money we had set aside to cushion uncertainties.

"However, we have not stood still and simply carried on the same service the county council used to provide." Mr Watson said lots of extra money had been brought into the borough thanks to successful bids to European and government funds for regeneration and the setting up of the education action zone - which attracted a visit from the prime minister.

Other successes include the setting up of a rights advice and entitlements department and praise from the local government improvement project officers about the way the council operates.

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