BLACKPOOL is looking towards the new millennium - by going back in time.

Ambitious plans are in the pipeline to turn the Promenade into a passage through time before the end of the century.

And a multi-million pound bid will be made to the Millennium Commission to help fund the project which Blackpool Borough Council is aiming to have in place by the end of the century.

The Blackpool Promenade Millennium Trail will stretch from Starr Gate to the Metropole Hotel, possibly beyond, and will boast features relating to various historic periods.

Rob Posner, Blackpool's special projects manager, commented: "We have outlined the general concept to people from Promenade properties, major tourist organisations and others and it has been very well received.

"However, the individual features and proposals still need to be discussed and approved before we make any final plans."

The overall project will cost around six million pounds, with half of the funding being sought from the Millennium Commission.

It is hoped the rest will be made up from the £2.5 million set aside for the South Shore area through the Single Regeneration Budget and the remaining half million from the private sector.

Mr Posner said: "If we can get more than that we can even go further with the project.

"This is the ideal opportunity to enhance the Promenade - it is just the sort of long-term scheme which the Millennium Commission is looking for.

"Blackpool Promenade is second to none, attracting more people than anywhere else in Britain. The Millennium Trail can only add to this."

He added it would be another month before details were unveiled and hopefully the bid to the Millennium Commission would be made in August.

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