THESE artist's impressions give the first look at Margo Grimshaw's £10 million development to bring city living to Blackburn town centre.

The high-spec apartments in Astley Gate, off Market Street Lane, will compare favourably with the urban pads of New York and Paris, according to Margo.

Work is progressing steadily on the 80-plus apartments project being led by the Blackburn entrepreneur and Lancashire Telegraph columnist.

The development features an underground car park and is on the site of the former Swan Hotel, Mr G's nightclub and a number of now-demolished shops.

So far the bulk of the construction work, including rerouting gas, water and electrical supplies to accommodate the apartments, has taken place behind hoardings.

But by the end of this year the first concrete signs of the regeneration scheme should become apparent.

The first phase of the works, at the Church Street end, should be over by the end of November, according to Margo.

As well as Margo's project, the Blackburn Diocese received planning permission in January to construct 96 apartments on Blackburn Cathedral land.

The plans include demolishing a disused toilet block on the Boulevard side to build Mitre Court, a six-storey building which would house shops on the ground floor, and 65 one and two-bedroom apartments elsewhere.

Current diocesan offices would also be demolished to make way for the four-storey Clergy Court, with nine apartments for clergy, 10 other flats, and replacement cathedral and diocesan offices.

Margo said that both developments would turn one of the town's oldest corners into a 21st century metroplitan hub.

She said: "It is going to be like a cathedral village - a conurbation of around 300 people which could be in Paris or New York.

"But it's not. It's going to be in Blackburn and I hope it is going to make a massive difference to the town centre in future.

"Every apartment has a balcony, so people can spend time out in the fresh air, because I think that is important."