TOP chart bands will be able to return to one of East Lancashire's biggest entertainment venues from the autumn -- thanks to some seriously heavy metal.

Eight huge iron girders are being installed at Blackburn's King George's Hall so that "stand up" concerts can resume.

Major gigs were banned at the venue in 1998 when 2,000-strong crowds jumped around so much they caused the building to vibrate.

But the new girders -- or strengthening columns -- will allow the reintroduction of the standing concerts in the main hall.

The work is part of a £700,000 facelift for the venue featuring a series of improvements, including a revamp of the Windsor Suite, which will include seminar facilities, training rooms, conference equipment and a banqueting capacity for up to 400 people.

A new continental-style foyer bar is also being created in the reception area which will serve as a downstairs extension to Blakey's Cafe Bar. Other work includes:

Refurbished toilets.

Air conditioning for all new bar areas, training rooms and Blakey's.

Redecoration of stairs.

New disabled passenger lift.

New toilets and bar area for the Regency studio.

Councillor Kate Hollern, executive member for leisure and culture on Blackburn with Darwen Council, said the work was the final phase in the redevelopment of the venue.

"The work has been programmed for the quiet summer months and the contract will finish by the end of September. This is an exciting project that will completely transform the Windsor suite," she said.

"The extra bars will complement the facilities we already have and which have proved so popular over the years."