THE countdown has begun to the official launch of a sculpture trail to celebrate the new millennium.

School pupils and community volunteers are busy working hard to create 21 sculptures with a difference - each will mark the location of a time capsule.

The sculptures are part of the Blackburn Millennium Landscape Programme which will be launched at Ewood Parkway, Blackburn, on May 31.

It kicks off with a community funday - a bonanza of activities such as kite-making, face-painting, basket-making and a falconry display. The first sculptures to be completed for the trail will be unveiled on the day. Each will celebrate the turn of the century by remembering the last 100 years.

Underneath each will be time capsules, containing articles, personal items, photographs and video tapes about Blackburn since 1900.

The programme is being run by Groundwork Blackburn and uses Millennium Commission cash to carry out the regeneration work.

The areas under development are the stretch from Darwen parkway behind Blackburn Rovers to Fishmoor and Guide reservoirs in the east of the borough.

The launch starts at 2pm and entrance is free.

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