DARWEN artists fear for the future of new talent after learning a centre for showcasing young people's work may be demolished.

The Valley Arts Centre is earmarked for clearance as part of plans to regenerate the Redearth Triangle area.

The Brunswick Street centre aims at raise the profile of up-and-coming local artists who want to make a career out of their talents.

It also runs workshops for children to encourage them to take up art in the town's only specialist arts centre.

Brian Bibby, a local artist whose work has made it into Coronation Street's Rovers Return, said he was concerned for budding artists.

Mr Bibby, 53, of Cemetery Road, said: "When I was starting out there was nothing apart form the library and it was hard. The children had just started to be able to use something which would give them a great start.

"There is nothing else which gives them a professional environment to gain skills and really take art seriously as a career.

"I would hope the council would bear this in mind and introduce an alternative in its place. It will be missed by so many people."

Artist Cassandra Thompson, 28, of Redearth Road, will display her work in the last exhibition the centre will hold before it closes.

My Faith, My Eyes will be on display from September 10 to 24, showing contemporary paintings and sculptures which Cassandra created after interviewing around 200 Darwen people.

Cassandra said: "It is a shame that this will be the last exhibition. There have been lots of exhibitions and Valley Arts has been successful, but now the owners will have to start all over again to find somewhere else suitable.

"They've done so much for local artists and people know where they are now."

Owner Jo Fielding today declined to comment because of ongoing negotiations with Blackburn with Darwen Council over the building.

Councillor Mohammed Khan, executive member for housing and neighbourhoods at the council, said: "The council is currently acquiring the Valley Arts Centre building as it is in the boundaries of the Redearth Road site, which is earmarked for demolition.

"The council is offering support, including help with relocation, to all affected businesses."

A council spokesman added that its arts and museum staff have met with Valley Arts Centre and have agreed to share gallery space to support artists in exhibiting and selling their work.