WORK on transforming Accrington's Broadway is set to get underway after council chiefs chose the final designs.

Plans to breathe new life into the town's main shopping street were unveiled last November when they received a mixed response from traders.

But, following weeks of discussions, the scheme will be turned into reality over the summer when a new surface, benches, planters and lamp-posts will be installed.

Nick Moule, who is spearheading the scheme in his capacity as regeneration boss of Hyndburn FIRST, said: "We will be putting the work out to tender and hope to start it at the beginning of July.

"We are aiming to complete it all by early November in time for Christmas shopping."

The work is expected to cause some disruption for shoppers and traders but Mr Moule added: "We will endeavour to minimise that."

He said plans for Broadway formed part of a larger strategy to regenerate the rest of the town centre, adding: "We want to address shop closures, the Market Hall and Broadway so we can improve the investment value of the town centre.

"There is a significant amount of investment coming in. It is almost a renaissance town."

Council leader Peter Britcliffe has welcomed the revamp and urged shoppers to keep the tills ringing in the town.

He said: "We want to keep it traditional with seating and flowers. We are trying to retain the idea of Broadway being a pleasant place for people to sit down and indulge in typical East Lancashire chit-chat.

"It is crucial to the continued regeneration of Accrington town centre because we are creating a really pleasant area. We hope it will encourage investment into some of the empty shops. We want people to come and support us so that Accrington can prosper.

"We are under great pressure from out-of-town shopping centres and I feel like King Canute battling against the tide sometimes. But we are trying our best with the resources we have got.

"I think it is one of the first signs of spring that we can get through the financial problems of the past two years, put things on an even keel and bring forward a brilliant project like this."

The scheme, which will cost £250,000, will also include a new mosaic sponsored by Rotary International to mark the movement's centenary.

Bosses at the Arndale Centre have also pledged to carry out improvements in Cornhill.

Town centre manager Bill Huntly said: "The new surface will be very durable and robust and our colleagues in parks and open spaces are delighted with it.

"It is almost identifical to the surface used along Deansgate in Manchester. We are looking ahead to the 21st century."