THERE is no doubt that ever since their town was merged with Blackburn more than a quarter of a century ago, many people in Darwen have felt it has had to live in the shadow of its larger neighbour and has had second-best treatment.

But though this may be based more on perception than fact, when, per head, the £37million spent annually by the council in Darwen is the same as in Blackburn, the new strategy being drawn up by the town hall for Darwen's future ought to prove the town is far from forgotten.

It is at a very early stage, but the initial study being presented to councillors tonight aims to ensure that Darwen's shopping centre survives the 21st Century as a thriving market town. The ideas put forward -- ranging from tackling the high number of empty shops and preserving historical buildings -- are all commendable.

Turning the best of them into firm, viable proposals must be the next step in order to attract government funding and inward investment. And Darweners themselves must play a role in shaping the strategy and positively boosting their town -- in contrast to the frequent negative complaining about it being neglected.

For Darwen does already have a lot going for it, and with unique attractions in the form of Darwen Tower and India Mill, now a thriving, regenerated place of work bringing added spending power to the town's shops, it has plenty of assets on which to build for the future.