BURNLEY's new town centre manager is Lisa Durkin who steps up from her role as assistant.

Lisa has been working as assistant to Burnley's first town centre manager Carl Speight for 20 months and is delighted to step into his shoes.

She said: "I am looking forward to the increased challenges and responsibilities that my new job will bring.

"Carl worked very hard to set up and develop the town centre manager's role, which I am confident I can continue to grow and develop further.

"There are exciting times ahead over the next two to three years in Burnley with the current new developments planned and potential interest for even more new investment."

Lisa, who will be 29 next week, is Burnley born and a former student of St Hilda's High School and Nelson and Colne College.

The self-confessed shopaholic was once assistant manager at Burnley's McDonald's Restaurant, and before being appointed Carl's deputy worked as a PR and political planning consultant in Manchester.

She said: "As a resident of Burnley and a keen shopper, my personal aim for the town is to enhance the present retail offer and investment opportunities, to create a thriving and viable town centre, of which I can be proud to live, work, shop and enjoy leisure.

"Working on behalf of the town in which I live gives me real job satisfaction and makes me determined to be successful in improving the image and attractiveness of Burnley town centre and also the wider business and commercial sectors to improve the quality of life and economic prospects for the Burnley area."

The town centre management scheme is funded until December 2001 by the European Regional Development Fund.