BLACKBURN Cathedral has been praised for its impact on local growth and new business in a new national report.

The document Cathedrals and their Communities looks into all of England’s 42 Anglican cathedrals and their importance to local communities.

The report has been published by the Department for Communities and Local Government and is a culmination of a year-long tour which saw the Minister for Faith, Lord Bourne, visit all the cathedrals.

Blackburn is praised for being a ‘prime example of a cathedral that has gone above and beyond in encouraging local growth’ in the report.

Cathedral Canon Andrew Hindley said: “Obviously we’re delighted to be singled out for going above and beyond in the community.

“It’s all about the partnership between the cathedral and Blackburn with Darwen Council, which is so strong.

“We’ve really developed it over the years and it is meant we’ve been able to achieve far more together than we would have been able to on our own.”

The report said the cathedral had been used as the focal point for the brand new ‘Cathedral Quarter with shops, a cafe, restaurants and office space.

The findings also stated the quarter was just the first stage in Blackburn’s regeneration with further retail opportunities set to expand.

The Dean of Blackburn, the Very Rev Peter Howell-Jones, was also praised in the report for developing ‘a unique relationship with local business owners, the BID and council.’

Lord Bourne said: “This year-long tour has given me a real understanding of how the innovation and vibrancy displayed by cathedral staff and their congregations is ensuring that these important churches continue to play a crucial role at the heart of local communities now and for centuries to come.

“The report highlights a number of great examples - cathedral staff working hard at preserving our local cultural heritage, engaging with a diverse range of communities while continuing their spiritual duties.

“I look forward to hearing about further successes in the future.”

The minister visited Blackburn at the end of July last year to compile information for the report.