BLACKBURN'S historic Pavilions are set to be sold to church bosses -- for just £45,000.

Now more than £1 million is set to be pumped into turning them into one of the biggest attractions of Blackburn's new look shopping centre. Members of Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive committee last night agreed to the sale of the Grade II listed Georgian Pavilions on Church Street to a company being created by Blackburn Cathedral.

The buildings have remained empty for more than a decade and had fallen into such a poor state of repair that, in 1996, town hall bosses considered demolishing them.

That plan was overruled in favour of trying to find a new use for them but, despite several plans being put forward, the council has been unable to close any deal.

Now diocesan officials are drawing up plans to renovate them and rent them to a high-class bar/restaurant firm.

Celebrity chef Nigel Haworth, who runs Northcote Manor in Langho, has already expressed an interest.

Coun Gail Barton, executive member for resources, said: "These listed Georgian buildings are of great historic importance to the town and we are delighted that they will be refurbished and brought back into use. The Pavilions offer a major opportunity to the cathedral company that is buying them to transform them into an attractive restaurant and cafe bar. "The town centre itself is undergoing a major transformation that will make it a showpiece centre for the region."

At the heart of the £11 million redevelopment is the controversial pedestrianisation of Church Street, complete with Continental-style pavement cafes outside buildings such as the Pavilions. Coun Barton added: "These are exciting times for Blackburn and when the transformation is complete we expect the Pavilions will become a new landmark in the town."

The buildings were constructed in the early 19th century and have been used for retail and offices, although one has not been occupied for almost 24 years.

Canon Andrew Hindley, of Blackburn Cathedral, said: "We believe the redevelopment will cost £1 million, much of which will be funded by grants.

"We have an end user in place although no contracts have been signed yet. It is a very high class restaurant and we expect to submit planning applications by the end of May.

"As soon as that is complete, we will be able to undertake a complete reconstruction and refurbishment of these buildings which are little more than derelict now."