MODELS of the proposed £6 million Radcliffe market hall and museum complex will be unveiled next month.

Internationally acclaimed architect John Pawson has completed designs for the exciting development and produced scale models of both the inside and the outside of the building.

Bury Council's executive committee were last night expected to support the project and give approval for it to go out to wider consultation.

Radcliffe Area Board chairman Coun Barry Briggs said: "This would allow us to step up our efforts to secure funding and grants from the government, the National Lottery and other bodies. The fact that we now have this model will help people realise we are serious about the development and have done our homework. We expect to produce the business plan within the next six months."

The models will go on public display on November 8 and people will be encouraged to give their views and suggestions.

The planned development would see the existing market hall bulldozed to make way for the new community complex, with a famous restaurant on top.

Envisaged is a three-storey building with the entrance facing the River Irwell. The existing basement would remain and, once refurbished, would house the town's museum.

The new market would occupy the ground floor and the building may be open six days a week.