AN internationally acclaimed designer is set to draw up plans for a landmark building in Burnley celebrating East Lancashire's textile heritage.

Former music mogul Anthony Wilson - currently battling cancer - has recommended Ralph Ardill to be appointed to help develop the Fashion Tower - which would play a key role in the initial £50million redevelopment of the historic Weaver's Triangle.

The building would be a celebration of the region's textile heritage, as well as provide business and education space to nurture the next generation of fashion designers.

Now Mr Ardill, who helped develop the concept for Ireland's most popular tourist attraction, the Storehouse (Guinness factory), Dublin, is to be approached to help make the Fashion Tower a reality.

The idea, devised by Mr Wilson and his partner Yvette Livesey, would be to have a working interactive centre rather than the building being a museum.

Mrs Livesey said: "The core of the Fashion Tower would celebrate the textile industry, not in the direct artefact way we do with museums, but rather in the way imagination celebrates the brewing of Guinness in the Storehouse in Dublin, already renowned as Ireland's busiest tourist attraction."

The Fashion Tower was incorporated into plans submitted by Rossendale-based developers Hurstwood Group to rejuvenate the Weaver's Triangle.

Other projects include a 800-seat music venue, restaurants, offices and homes.

Hurstwood's scheme forms part of an overall £260million blueprint to transform the site over the next 15 years.

The news comes after it was revealed a board, made up of Burnley Council, Lancashire County Council, regeneration body North West Development Agency and private firms was going to be set up to oversee he huge project.

Mr Ardill, the founder of The Brand Experience Consultancy, has worked with other major firms including Ford, Ericsson, Coca-Cola and Barclays.

Part of his role would also be to help undertake a £65,000 feasibility study into the project.

The money would come from Hurstwood Group, £10,000; Lancashire County Council, £15,000 and £20,000 from Elevate and Burnley Council.

The project is due to go before Burnley Council's executive on Tuesday when the committee will be asked to accept the proposals.

Hugh Simpson Burnley Council's head of regeneration said the Fashion Tower would play a major role in developing the Weaver's Triangle.

He added: "It also has the potential to make a substantial contribution to Burnley's attraction as a tourist destination. "