A MUSEUM and heritage centre to celebrate the history of Darwen is being planned by council chiefs.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has submitted a Big Lottery bid to finance the project at Darwen Library to celebrate the centenary of the building in 2008.

Most of the details are being kept under wraps but Susan Law, head of cultural services at the council, says Big Lottery has pledged that by early September they will have looked at all the bids and will let applicants know.

She added: "We have decided not to release details before then.

" All I can say part of the bid is a mini-museum and heritage centre that will detail the history of Darwen."

In February residents, voluntary groups, busin-esses and councillors were asked for their views on what could be done to improve Darwen Library and its theatre.

The Lottery bid to transform the premises into a cultural, learning and leisure hub was submitted on March 31.

To be successful, the proposal must include plans to enhance the library and take the views of the community into account in developing a non-traditional service.

In particular, young people aged 11 to 19 have been asked for their views.

Coun Nigel Nuttall's great great great grand-father, George Nuttall, who lived from 1825 to 1896, was town crier for Darwen.

His bell, along with a suit and hat thought to be his, are currently in Blackburn Museum. Coun Nuttall said he would request to bring them back to Darwen if a museum were built in the town.

He said: "It's important that we keep the history alive and also remind people of what Darwen was like in the past.

"It's something that has been missing from Darwen."

Marilyn Bysh, secretary of the Civic Society, said: "It would be nice for the people of Darwen to have a museum and heritage centre."

The library already offers various non-traditional services such as the regular Chill Out Sessions when 16 to 19-year-olds can enjoy chatting, reading and meeting friends.