WORK will start next week on a £5million facelift of buildings along a busy gateway into Blackburn town centre.

The scheme, along King Street, has been funded by the lottery-backed Townscape Heritage Initiative and Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Three projects will begin next week, two of which are in King Street.

The largest is an overhaul of 33 King Street, which at the beginning of the 19th century was the town's Assembly Room and the venue for celebrations following the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

Towards the end of the 20th century it became a social services building and is now owned by the East Lancashire Deaf Society.

It plans to create an enterprise centre for small businesses, ready to open in May 2007.

The second project is at 1 to 3 Princes Street, which is on a junction with King Street .

The terrace will be renovated to provide social housing by Space New Living Ltd, a Manchester-based housing association.

A third scheme will involve transforming the old Howarth's furniture store in Darwen Street. Work to preserve the building, which has been empty for four years, will take place.

Other work in King Street, including work on the former King's Head pub, will also take place when schemes have been finalised.

A feasibility study has also been funded to support the potential renovation of Hornby House described by the council as the most imposing Georgian townhouse in Blackburn.

Built in 1778 and occupied by W.H. Hornby after he left 2 King Street, it became the birthplace of his son, A.N. "Monkey" Hornby, who was captain of England at both cricket and rugby.

The current owner has undertaken some interior renovations but other than the Cellar Bar the building has stood largely empty.

Coun Andy Kay, in charge of regeneration, said: "These plans form an integral part of the town centre masterplan which is taking a long term view on the future of the town centre."