THIS is the latest shot of the site of Blackburn’s £66million shopping centre.

Owner The Mall said work was progressing well, with steel structural work set to begin next month.

To the left of the shot, at the front, is the start of the service lift shaft which will deliver goods to the shops.

The signs of progress have been welcomed by traders after months of uncertainly during the search for a contractor to build the new centre following the demolition of the Lord Square eyesore.

Jeweller Phil Ainsworth, of the town centre marketing committee, said: “I am delighted, and hopefully we will start to see steel work going up soon.

“I think it’s key to the regeneration of Blackburn. There’s been a big gap there for such a long time and to see cranes on the skyline is a big boost.”

The new shopping centre, which is being built by construction giant Taylor Woodrow, will create 20 new shops and 100,000 sq ft of floor space, including a flagship Primark store.

It is set to be completed in summer next year.