A multi-million pound regeneration project in the north west of England has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

Burscough town centre's ambitious £11.5m initiative to revitalise the area has a chance of winning the North West Royal Town Planning Institute Planning Achievement Award 2008.

West Lancashire District Council entered the premier awards, which recognise the diversity of planning achievement. They look beyond purely physical outcomes to recognise innovative plans, processes, techniques, information systems, programmes of community involvement and improvements to public services.

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The District Council decided to enter the awards because of the quality of the design of the public realm works and because the project has injected life into Burscough and has strengthened the local economy by implementing a series of environmental and visual improvements to the town centre.

In addition to the visual enhancements, there has also been the creation of 135 jobs.

Cllr Adrian Owens, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Estates, said: "There are many unique and intricate details within this fantastic regeneration project that photographs cannot do justice. For example, inscriptions on the clock tower, bespoke paving schemes, lights in the trees, various works of public art to emphasise Burscough's distinct history and traditions, the illumination of the Grade II listed St John the Baptist Church, improved access, a new public square for the town, better landscaping, new street furniture and other restoration works."

For more information about the Burscough town centre redevelopment, visit the council's website: www.westlancsdc.gov.uk/regeneration

(JM)