THOUGH still stalked by controversy, the ambitious plans for the regeneration of Blackburn town centre took a positive stride towards realisation today with the announcement that the historic Pavilions buildings in Church Street are set to be sold to the nearby Cathedral for a knock-down £45,000.

For this property deal not only promises the recovery of three important, but sadly neglected, buildings, it could also prove to be the touch paper that ignites the transformation of the town centre, improves its character and attraction and secures its prosperity.

And while, as this newspaper has already remarked, some urgent, short-term action is needed to stem the haemorrhages the shopping centre is beginning to suffer, in the longer term, this deal now on the brink of being clinched by church officials with the Pavilions council owners could be a key piece in the jigsaw of Blackburn's regeneration plan.

Certainly, even in isolation, it is a positive step in that, long empty and once even in danger of demolition, these Grade II-listed 19th-century buildings -- which have a clear architectural and period affinity with the Cathedral -- may now be preserved and restored when far too much of the town's heritage has been lost.

But, in context with the £11 million pedestrianisation and regeneration of Church Street, the Cathedral's aim of redeveloping the Pavilions with a £1 million face-lift and renting them to a high-class bar and restaurant firm -- and with celebrity chef Nigel Haworth, of Langho's prestigious Northcote Manor, already expressing an interest in the site -- then this is a truly exciting departure.

For it could be both a major attraction in itself and, more importantly, a magnet for more up-market retail and leisure investment in Blackburn town centre as it triggers an upgrade in the general quality and character of the town centre -- in short, making it a trendy, attractive place that people will visit.

And though never passive observers of Blackburn's affairs, the Cathedral authorities deserve praise for being such active and imaginative participants in the town's regeneration hopes.