GIGANTIC wind breaks, two new domes and more short-term parking -- these were all part of a dramatic new look unveiled for St Annes Square.

Shoppers will soon be protected from sea breezes by the massive wind baffles -- to be sited across the seaside end of the Square -- following the award of a £1.75m grant to Fylde Borough Council from the North West Development Agency.

The see-through baffles, designed by artist Ondr Nowokowski and engineers at BAE Systems' Warton plant, form the centrepiece of the Square's facelift, expected to cost a total of £2.36m.

The first phase of the improvements, which included the introduction of the controversial domed shelters to the north side of the Square, was completed in January 2001 and funded by the sale of the borough council's interest in the Fylde Transport company.

Following the NWDA award, the second phase of work is expected to go ahead on the south side of the Square from Park Road to Clifton Drive this September.

It will include off-road parking bays, high quality paving, landscaping, artwork, more entertainment areas and two new dome shelters.

And improvement work supported by Lancashire Tourism Partnership, the heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme and the private sector is also due to begin on nearby Wood Street.

The new plans, including a scale model of how St Annes Square will look, were unveiled at Fylde Town Hall on Friday. The entire improvement scheme is expected to be completed by 2005.

Paul Drinnan, head of Fylde Borough Council's urban design and regeneration unit, said: "We are of the firm view that St Annes warrants serious intervention at this time to once again have a town centre which will be totally vibrant and will add to a very attractive resort."

Ronnie Marsden, NWDA regeneration manager, added: "One of the agency's priorities is to aid the regeneration of coastal resorts and this investment will help to arrest and turn around the level of decline that has occurred in the Square over the last decade."

Fylde Mayor Councillor Patricia Fieldhouse said: "St Annes has much to look forward to in the next few years. It is an important visitor destination and its significance as an attractive seaside resort will be enhanced by the award of the grant."