A PROJECT to transform Blackburn's Cathedral Quarter into a magnet for business and visitors has won two prestigious awards.

Work has taken place over the last few years on Church Street, Darwen Street and Fleming Square and renovation of the Waterloo Pavilions and Exchange Arcade within the quarter.

And the overall vision has won the Best Heritage Project Award 2003 and is the overall winner in the North West Royal Town Planning Institute's annual awards.

The projects had two main aims: to reduce traffic and improve the look of the area and to enhance the area's heritage buildings.

The area now has more public art, restored heritage buildings and specialist independent businesses.

Coun Andy Kay, executive member for regeneration, said: "We all wanted an attractive and accessible town centre that reflected the aspirations of local people and also celebrated our shared heritage.

"The Cathedral Quarter is the first step on the road to achieving this and we are very pleased that our positive and professional approach to planning, design, conservation and construction has been recognised and endorsed.

Sir Bill Taylor, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, said: "These awards are an achievement not only for the council but also for our many private sector partners and the increasing number of local people who are working with us to make the vision for our town centre a practical reality.

"The success of the Cathedral Quarter will help us to encourage other regeneration projects and restoration of our heritage buildings in Darwen town centre, too."

The project has been funded by EU, government and lottery grants.

A cocktail of funding has enabled the work to take place via the North West Development Agency, Single Regeneration Budget, European Regional Development Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund, Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and the Council.