Blackburn with Darwen Director Public Health, Dominic Harrison has given the following update:

"In the week from January 22 to 28, every single Lancashire local authority had registered falling rates of Covid-19.

Lib Dem Councillor John East has welcomed the opening of a new Covid test centre. This centre provides lateral flow tests, which give results within 30 minutes. The Centre is on Monton Rd, off Blackburn Rd BB3 0AF.

Councillor East said, "When I heard that they were introducing these test centres in the borough I was disappointed that there were none in Darwen. I pointed this out to the Council and I am pleased that they have listened."

Liberal Democrat Councillor Paul Browne complained that the town's Town Hall clock is at a standstill. Speaking at the Council's Forum he said, "Can I ask when are we going to get our clock on Darwen Town Hall made right please. It's been out of commission since November and people are asking me and I dare say other Darwen councillors when is it going to be that we are going to get to know the proper time with our clock in the centre of Darwen?"

Here is the latest update on the Coronavirus in East Lancashire from Blackburn with Darwen's Director of Public Health, Professor Dominic Harrison.

"THIS week the total UK deaths from Covid-19 reached the grim milestone of 100,000.

As a unitary council, Blackburn with Darwen has about 150,000 residents. We had our first confirmed hospital case on March 13. Up to January 20 the borough has recorded 15,259 Covid cases and a total of 322 deaths within 28 days of a diagnosis.

Local Liberal Democrats have welcomed the completion of the new pedestrian crossing on the A666 in the Whitehall area. The crossing has been out of action for almost one year. Despite numerous complaints it took the Council from March 2020 to November 2020 to start work.

The new crossing is innovative because it involves UV and colourful markings.

Darwen could be in line for a £100 million boost to the local economy. The Darwen Deal Board is submitting a bid for £25 million from the government as part of their Investment Plan. The plan also hopes to lever in another £75 million from private investment. The plan has been submitted to the government for approval.

Liberal Democrat Councillors have welcomed the Council's decision to move Crosshill Special School to Darwen. The plan is to move it to the currently empty Sunnyhurst Centre, on Salisbury Rd in Darwen. This will involve spending £380,000 upgrading the Sunnyhurst site. Crosshill is currently located on the Blackburn Central High School site, the move will allow the High school to create additional places. Darwen East Councillors Paul Browne and Roy Davies welcomed the fact that the Sunnyhurst Centre will be used again preventing it becoming an eyesore and bringing extra educational provision into the town. The Sunnyhurst Centre has been closed since 2015.

Local Liberal Democrats have welcomed the news that planning permission has been granted for new facilities at the Anchor, the historic home of Darwen Football Club. The new facility will offer space for teaching, conferences and a sports bar and is part of wider plans to create a state-of-the-art new sports village. It is part of the "Darwen Town Deal", which initially sees £750,000 being in various schemes across the town.