THE government’s faith minister todaybacked Blackburn becoming a city in the future after visiting its Cathedral and regenerated town centre.

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth said the revitalisation created by the church authorities, council and government was an ‘exceptional example’ of what could be done by working together.

The senior Tory politician was shown round the Cathedral and its new £6million suite of clergy accommodation with cloister garden (the first for 600 years) by Dean of Blackburn Perter Howell-Jones.

Looking out on to the £34 million Cathedral Quarter with new office block , hotel, restaurants and landscaping from Cafe Northcote Lord Bourne said how impressed he was by what he had seen.

Revealing that Blackburn was the 32nd Cathedral he had visited on a tour of all England’s 42 ending in Canterbury, Lord Bourne (a junior minister in the Department for Communities and Local Government) said: “This is a Cathedral right at the heartbeat of its town and community.

“It is an exceptional example of what can be achieved by working with the council and the government and one of the most impressive I have seen.

“With the new clergy accommodation, which is wonderful, on one side of the Cathedral and the new modern square on the other, it is an example of the linking the traditional with bringing the town into the 21st Century.

“Blackburn is a historic industrial revolution town and when I arrived I thought it looked like a modern city.

“I can certainly see it becoming a city in the future and would personally back any future bid by the council for city status.

“Our Cathedrals should be at the heart of our towns’ cities and communities and Blackburn’s certainly is that.

“It is a beautiful place for all communities and faiths to gather and reflect.”

Dean Howell-Jones said: “I was delighted to welcome Lord Bourne to our Cathedral so he could see what has been achieved here in Blackburn.”

Cllr Phil Riley, Blackburn with Darwen Council regeneration boss Phil Riley said :”It is good to see what has been achieved by a range of agencies and working together recognised at the highest level.”