THE last block of public toilets in Blackburn town centre could be pulled down to make way for new clergy apartments.

Blackburn Cathedral, which owns the amenity on the Boulevard, is trying to find ways to house vicars and canons nearer to the cathedral.

One option being considered is the demolition of the toilets, known as the Blue Dahlia building, which closed to the general public in the late 1990s.

Blackburn with Darwen Council, which rented the toilets, closed them as partsof cutbacks.

Canon Andrew Hindley, in charge of regeneration projects at the cathedral, said: "We are looking at all aspects of the Cathedral grounds to see how we can improve it.

"One thing we are keen to do is get more of our clergy living in accommodation close to the Cathedral.

"Using the land where the toilets are is one option to solve this problem. Our agreement with the council was that the building would pass back to us once they stopped being toilets."

In the short-term the building could be used to house the new bus station managers the council intends to employ later on this year.

The managers will help improve bus services, offer customer information and report any problems with drunks to the police.

However, ultimately, the cathedral will have the final say on what happens to the building, subject to planning permission.

Steve Hoyle, assistant director of regeneration, housing and neighbourhoods department, said today: "Plans are in the early stages to develop and improve facilities for members of the public using the bus and rail networks in Blackburn by improving passenger information, the introduction of site supervision and toilet facilities."