AMBITIOUS plans to reopen a former mill as a £2.6million, multi-purpose community centre have been unveiled in Accrington.

The New Era centre in Paradise Street is set to receive a complete facelift in a year-long project.

Professional artists have been drafted in to work with local people on designs for a whole new interior at the centre. Architects have produced a scale model of what the newly refurbished building will look like.

It will feature a cybercafe, music recording studio, gym, community rooms and an Asian wedding hall.

New Era will also house information services such as youth services, the Citizen's Advice Bureau, the Asian Community Forum and the Council for Voluntary Service. The major project has been funded by a £1.3million Millennium Commission grant, matched by Hyndburn Council and funds including European and single regeneration budget cash and English Partnerships.

The building, once the Ritz dance hall, will be passed over to the New Era Trust by the county council. The board will oversee the development of the centre and will meet to discuss contracting the work out next week.

Chairman, County Councillor Dorothy Westell, said: "There can be no better way of celebrating the millennium than waking this sleeping giant of a building."

Anyone who wants to get involved in one of the design workshops can call Mid-Pennine Arts on 01282 421986.

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