A new fountain - which doubles up as a stage when dry - is proposed as the centrepiece of a redeveloped Winckley Square in Preston.

The imaginative and eye-catching design also includes granite walkways and fibre optic lights, as well as the creative use of sculpture and metal artwork.

The winning design by Cooper Partnership (a Bristol-based design consultancy) fought off stiff competition in a national bid to breathe new life into the city's Victorian square.

The design competition, which ran in January, is the first stage in a major partnership project to regenerate the city centre green space.

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Councillor Anthony Gornall, cabinet member for regeneration and chair of the judging panel that selected the winning design, said: "We were blown away by the quality of the winning design - it is absolutely tremendous. The design is contemporary, yet subtle, and wonderfully compliments the trees that make Winckley Square a beautiful oasis in the city centre. The proposed 64 jet fountain, beautifully lit by state-of-the-art lighting will be a delightful attraction for Preston, especially as it can be used as a stage when the water is turned off.

"The attractive leaf-lined, granite walkways combine superbly with new metal railings and sculptures proposed for the square. It is a very clever design, which, by making good use of light, would open up the square so as to draw and invite you in.

"These are exciting proposals and we can't wait to turn them into reality. We will continue to work closely with the North West Development Agency and other partners to ensure that this winning design can indeed happen and we can breathe new life into Winckley Square."

(CD/JM)