SHOPPERS passing through Blackburn's revamped Church Street will be able to see what its new works of art look like from next week.

The five sculptures, costing £241,000, are due to be dropped in to place in September, although work on transforming Church Street from clogged-up road to pedestrian street has just been finished as part of a £2million project.

And large pyramid-shaped plinths have been dropped on the sites of the new statues to show people what they will look like and what they will represent. The council unveiled plans for the five sculptures last February and commissioned Yorkshire artist Ian Randall to create works to highlight Blackburn's connection with the cotton trade.

Each sculpture represents a different stage in the development of the cotton plant. They are made from bronze, stainless steel, fibre optics and stone and three will have water features.

Work on the street has been delayed due to the weather. The contractors have now moved on to Darwen Street, where environmental improvements are to be carried out.