A TOWN centre is to get a new community roof garden on the top of its main shopping centre.

The new green open space above Blackburn's The Mall will be situated between ramps leading to the uppermost floors of the car parks.

It is aimed at providing somewhere for shoppers and town centre visitors to relax on a permanent basis.

Mall general manager Loraine Jones announced the project to coincide with the The Great Big Green Week', a national environmental campaign running from September 18 to 26.

On Monday shoppers can complete a questionnaire outside Primark in the centre on what they want to see in the garden.

The project is being backed by Newground, Blackburn BID and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

Suggestions for the community garden include growing food including fruit vegetables and salad; sensory planting of herbs, textured or noisy plants; wildflowers; and plants to attract bees and

butterflies.

Other ideas include informal gathering spaces for social and cultural events, seating, and shade from canopies or pergolas.

The questionnaire also asks respondents to indicate if they would help maintain the new community garden and, if so, what horticultural skills they possess.

Ms Jones said: "The aim is to create a stunning community garden that will be accessible to everyone.

"We are delighted to be supporting The Great Big Green Week and what better time to launch our public consultation.

“We’re extremely excited about the prospect of a rooftop space that everyone can enjoy and I can’t wait to hear what people have to say.

“Reducing our carbon footprint is a huge focus for us as we work hard to play our part in the fight against climate change.

“We have received fantastic support from shoppers who take advantage of all our initiatives."

Cllr Phil Riley, Blackburn with Darwen Council's regeneration boss, said: "This sound exciting.

"It is a wonderful idea and will be an addition to the green spaces and flowers already in the town centre."

Ms Jones revealed than none of the waste from The Mall goes to landfill and in 2020 it recycled 92 tonnes of cardboard.

She said the shopping centre had dedicated recycling facilities for newspapers, magazines, plastic bottles and glasses; a water refill station for shoppers' bottles; and two electric vehicle charging points.