IF you dream of a more attractive, vibrant, interesting Blackburn, which is also a credit to its people, architectural heritage, history, the countryside and region in which it is set and a joy for visitors, then you'll welcome the grand new vision for the town centre as I do!

For me, these exciting and radical proposals for the creation of attractive, new, public spaces, new buildings and refurbishment promise to deliver all that.

Having been privileged to view and comment on the Cathedral Chapter's detailed Masterplan, which alone provides a great leap forward for the town, the grand new vision for the town centre is a bonus.

I love the idea of a water feature using or following the course of the Blakewater.

New landscaped, pedestrian, areas on the Boulevard and Ainsworth Street and Railway Road at the junction with Church Street would help create unity in the town centre and make it a safer and more accessible place.

I have long advocated relocating buses to Penny Street and the demolition and replacement of the current, semi-derelict market with new buildings is long overdue!

Improvements to the shopping centre, Margo Grimshaw's properties, the Cathedral area and other residential developments in and around the town centre are also exactly the sort of quality 'place making' that Blackburn needs.

When people dream at night they often encounter familiar things and places in their lives, which appear slightly different.

Unsurprisingly, I often dream of being in Blackburn and I recall thinking how many of the features in the dream Blackburn would look good in the real one.

Strangely enough, many aspects of the new vision bear a very spooky likeness to my 'dream Blackburn,' so, if as the council say it is achievable, it would be a dream come true on more ways than one.

Tackling the details of practicalities and delivering the improvements with minimum disruption are the challenges before us, so I look forward to being involved in the consultation the council has promised.

Bold and imaginative solutions are what Blackburn needs if it is to move forward and become the city of dreams at the heart of the British Isles instead of nightmares.

So my message to the council and its partners is "build the dream!"

STEWART WADE, Vice-chairman, Blackburn Civic Society, Buncer Lane. Blackburn.