A TOWN centre being given a heritage renovation is to get an artistic twist.

Lower St James's Street in Burnley will see it walls and shopfront shutters will be decorated with images telling its history.

The project, called Raise The Curtain, aims to use street-level artworks to engage shoppers and residents with the area's heritage.

The scheme will be documented online to come to life as a digital 'advent calendar' in the run-up to Christmas and then beyond until March next year.

The Cultural Consortium will commission two street artists and work with local businesses in the area to brighten up the town centre's £1.2million Heritage Action Zone.

Cllr Asif Raja, Burnley council’s growth boss, said: “This is a brilliant idea. Metal security shutters are often an unwelcome addition to the architecture of a conservation area such as Lower St James’ Street. However, they are the perfect blank canvas for someone with a bit of imagination to transform into something eye catching".