A GRADE II listed building is set to undergo a £185,000 transformation, complete with a business and resource centre.

Padiham Town Hall, which is nearly 70 years old, will be fully refurbished with all original internal features maintained and expanded to create a community centre and business workspace for private tenants.

Funding has been secured from the North West Development Agency (NWDA) and Burnley Council to fully refurbish the building complete with all its orginal Art Deco features.

The NWDA have given £95,000 to the project to supplement the £90,000 from Burnley Council.

Padiham Life, a local agency that aims to secure funding for rural regeneration to help economic growth, secured the funding from the NWDA.

Christine Pye, programme manager for Padiham Life, said: "The funding approval is fantastic news for the town hall and the community of Padiham."

Burnley Council Leader, Coun Gordon Birtwistle said: "Padiham is on the up. There is still a long way to go, but this resource centre will provide a real boost to the local economy, will attract further private investment and hopefully create new jobs.

"I would like to thank Padiham Life and the NWDA for their continued support in making Padiham a better place to live and work."

David Hunter, head of rural affairs at the NWDA, said: "This marks the beginning of a new lease of life for the town hall and the NWDA is pleased to be making such a valuable contribution by helping to protect a rare and historical gem and boosting the local economy."

Work is set to start in October and is due to be completed by Feburary 2008 to mark the town hall's 70th anniversary.