BLACKBURN'S character grew from its strong industrial heritage.

Its centre expanded as its population grew and became a mix of small terraced streets, that had houses or rows of shops and businesses along them.

It also contained industrial buildings, chimney stacks and mills alongside other distinctive and attractive buildings from the Victorian era.

Of course, there came a time when the town leaders recognised the need to modernise; Blackburn's jobs market, people and transport needs were all changing and the town needed to reflect a new era.

The redevelopment began in the 1960s and vast swathes of the centre disappeared under the wrecking ball as a modern shopping centre began to take its place.

While many townsfolk agreed with the demolition of many of the old streets and buildings, they were, at the same time, disappointed when landmarks such as the market hall and its clock tower and prestigious Thwaites Arcade also disappeared, in the name of progress.

This multi million pound regeneration took place in three phases, with the final one opening in 1979.

In this image from our archives, Blackburn folk were given their own viewing platform in the shopping mall, where they could keep pace with their town's quickly changing face.