WORK has begun to transform a former Accrington mill into a £2.6million community centre.

The New Era centre in Paradise Street will be home to a range of agencies and activities, including the Citizen's Advice Bureau, Asian Community Forum and youth services.

The building, which has also been used as a dance hall in the past, will house a cyber cafe, sports hall and recording studio.

The work is being funded by a £1.3million Millennium Commission grant along with money raised by the New Era Development Trust.

The total also includes sums from Hyndburn Council, English Partnerships and European grants.

Local people have been helping professional artist Usha Manenthrillingham draw up designs for the revamp.

A number of themes will be incorporated into the decoration, including a wartime tea room and local dance hall.

County Coun Dorothy Westell, chairman of the trust, handed the keys to the centre over to developers Walter Carefoot and Sons (Construction) Ltd.

The firm has promised to carry out the refurbishment in stages so parts of the centre can remain open as usual.

Mrs Westell said: "This hand over marks the beginning of an exciting time for the New Era, which will be turned into a first class resource for the whole community.

"Local people have told us how they want to see the interior designed and decorated and I hope they will continue to be involved when the project is completed."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.