A MASTER PLAN to shape the future of Rawtenstall town centre is being drawn up in a bid to rocket the town into the 21st century.

Rossendale Borough Council has appointed international consultancy Arup to work alongside the London-based Matrix Partnership, and property market advisers Donaldsons.

They are in talks with major high street retailers and department stores to help re-launch the town centre.

The £100,000 study, funded by the North West Development Agency and Rossendale Town Centre Working Group, will be used to consult with the public about ideas for the town.

Arup, who specialise in town planning and have offices in Manchester, plan to look at the road network bringing people into, and taking people out of, Rawtenstall.

Plans could include removing the roundabout at Bocholt Way to help create a better flow of traffic, in light of the new Asda and Tesco stores being built.

After being involved in major projects, including the regeneration of Manchester city centre, the Bridgewater Hall, and the Channel Tunnel, it is hoped the company will bring their expertise to Rawtenstall.

Rossendale Council leader Peter Steen said: "The cost of this exercise shows that this is no joke, and we want to help make sure Rawtenstall remains a place where people want to live, work, and shop.

"Getting the development of Rawtenstall right is essential for both the town, and the borough, and we believe that this team, supported by the people of the town, can make a great contribution to this work.

"The team will work with local people to develop a strategy to help the council take full advantage of the town's potential."

Over the next few months, discussions will be held with companies and groups active in the town centre, and in the New Year public meetings will be asked to consider a range of options of how the town could develop.

The team will present their final proposals to the council in April 2005.

Arup's Mike Wilton, who will lead the team undertaking the master plan, said: "We are delighted to be appointed to this project. We believe that this is a very exciting time for Rawtenstall, with a number of proposals for new developments.

"We want to develop imaginative and creative proposals that build on the best of the town."

Council bosses are in talks with the private owners of the Valley Centre in a bid to encourage its re-development.