CONTRACTORS have started work on the first phase of a £500,000 marina and leisure complex based in Burnley on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

The ambitious scheme is the dream of Londoner Dennis Bull, who saw the site at Finsley Gate and fell in love with it. He is managing director of the company Mile Wharf Limited, launched to build and run the complex to be called Mile Wharf.

The site will eventually employ 12 people full-time as well as seasonal workers.

Employee Roger Hoyle explained: "British Waterways will be digging out a large basin for a marina for berthing 17 travelling narrow boats.

"We will be hiring out boats for trips on the canal and in the former waterways maintenance building there will be a shop and cafe and a conference facility for 60 to 70 people.

"A side building will house a forge, where a blacksmith will work making trinkets. There will be a safe children's play area and we are hoping to get permission to have an amphitheatre so local children will be able to put on plays.

"The building is going to be put back to its original design, so it will look just like it did when it was first built."

A canal house on the site is to be renovated as a home for Mr Bull and his wife.

The first phase of work is expected to be complete by the end of March.

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