A CASH injection has been agreed to help make Burnley's key town centre regeneration project become a reality.

An investment package has been approved by Lancashire County Council for the £26million Pioneer Place retail and leisure development off Curzon Street.

The £3.2million sanctioned by the county council should pay for road improvements in and around the Burnley Council led scheme.

Land which once housed the Pioneer Co-op has been the subject of on-off redevelopment discussions for more than a decade.

But now the local authority has teamed up with Maple Grove to bring a cinema and restaurants to the site, off Active Way.

Burnley-born county council leader, Cllr Geoff Driver, said: "The Pioneer Place scheme will bring significant regeneration to an area of the town, further reinforcing the previous work that's already happening.

"We're pleased to be working with Burnley Borough Council to bring this project together. New jobs are already being created and the economy is increasing here.

"It's important that we do what we can to develop the road network in order to support and continue this growth.

"Along with plans by UCLan to develop their university facilities, Pioneer Place would be an important next phase in the ongoing transformation of the town."

Councillors are currently working on a masterplan, alongside Burnley FC and UCLan, which could bring an estimated 1,070 jobs to Burnley, with an anticipated £100million added to the local economy, and 583 new homes, on completion.

Cllr Mark Townsend, Burnley Council leader, added: "Pioneer Place is a major part of our vision for Burnley town centre.

"Burnley is bucking the trend and recent investments have already seen increases in the number of visitors to the town.

"Pioneer Place will build on this, by diversifying our offer and attracting even more visitors to our town centre. This will further boost the local economy and benefit local businesses.

"We want a town centre that everyone is proud of and I know our residents are looking forward to this development. This is an exciting time for Burnley as we continue to transform the town.

"I would like to thank the county council for their significant support which is a further milestone in the delivery of this scheme."