A PLAN to revamp Accrington has been plunged into doubt as council bosses fight to secure the £150,000 needed to fund it.

Hyndburn Council chiefs are looking to bring in consultants to draw up a masterplan which has been called a blueprint for the town's future.

But the masterplan is now in doubt as council bosses say they may not get enough money to fund the blueprint.

When complete, the masterplan would set out steps the council needs to take to bring businesses and investors into Accrington in a bid to give the borough's economy a vital shot in the arm.

Regeneration manager Nick Moule said: "If we cannot get the funding, the masterplan won't happen and we won't be able to proceed.

"This is a vital step forward as it is a blueprint for the town centre to attract businesses into it. The investment would be increased many times over as this could generate milions of pounds in the area."

Hyndburn Council has put in two bids for £75,000 from the North West Development Agency and the Government's Single Regeneration Budget (SRB).

It is hoped that if the bids are successful, work could begin on the plan later this year.

Mr Moule added it was likely the council would hear if the bid for SRB money had been successful by the end of the month and whether the cash from the North West Development Agency was available later this year.