THIS newspaper has time and again highlighted the embarrassingly tatty state of Blackburn's Lord Square.

Previous owners of the shopping centre produced plans over a number of years which never became reality.

Then we were told no money was available to invest in renovating the area.

In September 2004 The Mall bought the complex and promised something would be done.

But not surprisingly they wanted to produce their own plans rather than carry out those inherited from previous owners Reit Asset Management.

Recently it seemed that the end of this saga was at last in sight as The Mall had put together a their own multi-million pound redevelopment.

But now council planners are recommending that it should be effectively blocked - unless it includes an acceptable clock.

The demand is somewhat ironic since by allowing the demolition in the 1960s of the town's original Victorian market clocktower these planners' own predecessors condoned an act of civic vandalism.

It's important that the details of any project are right although it's arguable whether we actually need a clock at all.

And it would absolutely ludicrous if any more time is wasted in getting Lord Square revamped.