CAFE society could finally arrive in Blackburn through a national chain.

Puccino's, which owns a string of cafe bars and coffeeshops across London and is now expanding across the country, has applied for planning permission to convert a prime town centre site into its latest eaterie.

The news comes after Blackburn with Darwen Council announced it was to encourage "cafe society" and pavement cafes to open in the town as part of a town centre overhaul.

If planning permission to change of use from retail to hot food use is granted it would be the first of the major coffeehouse firms to open in Blackburn.

Details of the firm's intentions to come to Blackburn emerged just a week after a new council report said the town needed a wider variety of attractions if people were to go shopping there, and stay there for longer.

The planning application, submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Council, came as a result of the firm selling a franchise to a businessman who wants to open up in Blackburn.

Work has already begun renovating the inside the of the unit, in King William Street, which used to be half of a high-class menswear firm which closed down last year. Recruitment agency Adecco has moved into the other half, near to Marks & Spencer.

Puccino's was established in 1996 and has grown rapidly as the coffeeshop business boomed with firms like Starbucks -- whose nearest outlet to Blackburn is in Bolton -- and Coffee Republic becoming popular.

But Andrew Sanderson, the marketing director for the Epsom-based firm, said: "We are different because we do offer a lot more in terms of food.

"We also pride ourselves on a relaxed style and ambience which makes us welcoming for everyone. We have a sense of humour which we like to inject into things, hence our catchphrase.

"We like to think it is that more than anything else which draws people to us. We are very family orientated."

He added: "We are trying to expand across the country but it is hard sometimes to find franchisees. We were approached and asked to set up a franchise for Blackburn and we are delighted to have been able to do so."