BLACKBURN’S interim bus station on the northern part of old market site is expected to operate until January next year.

Borough regeneration boss Maureen Bateson will report to tomorrow’s full Blackburn with Darwen council forum the date for its final closure. The new £5m Ainsworth Street bus station on the other side of the site is due for completion by the end of this year.

Coun Bateson also reports that the council's partner for the redevelopment of the remainder of the old market ‘is working up an outline planning application and continuing discussions with food-store operators’.