A MULTI-MILLION pound action plan designed to take Blackburn into the new millennium has been unveiled.

The £40 million scheme would bring new business and entertainment ventures to change the shape of the town.

Town hall bosses and business leaders are hoping £5 million worth of Euro cash will help bring in an extra £35 million pounds of investment.

A bid for the European slice of the investment is already on its way to Brussels and a decision is expected by the end of the year.

Blackburn is competing against towns and cities across the North West including Burnley and Manchester for a share of £25 million worth of grant aid.

And a whole series of schemes are being lined up for the town if the bid is successful.

Projects on the drawing board include:

A new traffic system for the town centre along with pedestrianisation of many streets and roads.

A revamp of the Darwen Street and railway station area.

A £3 million overhaul of Blackburn museum with the help of lottery funding.

A multiplex cinema complex in the Darwen Street area.

New business opportunities and trading centres in several key locations. Specialists consultant Donaldsons have been called in to help put together the action plan.

The Blackburn Partnership group is backing the scheme and would be involved in ensuring its success.

Voluntary groups, business organisations and members of the public will also be given a chance to have their say on the project.

Phil Watson, the chief executive of the new Blackburn with Darwen unitary authority, said: "It is essential we are working together from an overall strategy.

"If we are to be successful the main criteria is job creation and an overall strategy."

Regeneration chairman Andy Kay added: "This is an excellent opportunity for Blackburn.

"A lot of good work has been done in Blackburn and we want to build on what we have already achieved."

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