DARWEN is alive and kicking and has benefited from more than £5million of investment this year, say council chiefs.

The cash has paid for three projects topping £1million as well as repairs to Darwen Tower and the town hall.

"There is a misconception among people in Darwen that there is little cash input into Darwen compared to Blackburn and this is simply not true" said Councillor Dave Smith of Sunnyhurst Ward, who has drawn up the figures.

"Major amounts of cash are being poured into Darwen and it is fantastic for us all."

Around 500 jobs have been created at India Mill after it was transformed into a business centre r.

Capita, the private firm which runs many of Blackburn with Darwen Council's services, opened the £1.4million complex with TV licensing and Criminal Records Bureaux taking up tenancy.

Coun Smith said: "The knock-on effects with cafes and shops around the site have been fantastic. This is exactly the kind of investment we want in Darwen."

Darwen Vale High School successfully lobbied to be part of an Education Action Zone. The school and its six feeder primary schools will now benefit from £1million to improve education standards and facilities over three years.

Headteacher Lynn Dunning said: "We are working really hard to turn the school around. We have just bought a new minibus and we are launching an email buddy scheme next week."

In addition, the school governors lobbied the Government for an extra £750,000 to fund a new music, drama and IT block which opened earlier this month.

Andy Kay, executive member for regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Council said: "There have been a number of exciting regeneration projects in Darwen and the recent success of India Mill, bringing valuable inward investment and new jobs has been a big boost to the local economy."

Last week a new £1.2million Sure Start family centre was opened in Lord Street-.

Funding has also been secured to open a new health facility in the town centre worth £750,000 to incorporate a mental health service.

A further £150,000 has gone into improvements to Bold Venture Park and Sunnyhurst Woods as well as disabled access at Darwen Leisure Centre.