A LANDMARK new building in Blackburn will transform land which has been derelict for 25 years and could create as many as 200 jobs.

Blackburn Enterprise Centre will be constructed on the land next to Tesco supermarket, Hill Street, Blackburn, over the next 12 months.

The multi-million-pound project, funded by Blackburn with Darwen Council and EU money, is intended to support existing small businesses and also to create new firms across East Lancashire.

The project has been in the planning stages for more than two years and the centre will include three floors with 20,000 sq ft of office space, along with meeting rooms and a reception area.

Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Kate Hollern said the centre would help improve an important gateway' into the town, and help boost the local economy.

She said: "This is something to be welcomed anything that contributes to employment is a positive thing.

"I think it's going to be a great site with great access and will be easy for people to get to work there. It will encourage employment.

"This project is part of an overall strategy to lift the quality of the employment and quality of life.

"If people have got jobs they will shop in our shops, eat in our restaurants and children will go to our schools.

"It is all about linking the town together and this is a project that helps lift the whole borough."

The site has been derelict for about 25 years, and previously included houses.

This week boards will be put up on nearby Furthergate to inform the public of the project, which should be up and running by next autumn.

Road improvements are also planned.