One of Lancashire's biggest projects for young people is well underway – sparking a
night of celebrations
Photography by Andrew Woodhouse

More than 300 guests gathered in Blackburn to stage a party in support of one of Lancashire’s biggest youth projects.

Blackburn Youth Zone is a multi-million pound complex due to open next autumn in the town centre.

Around 3,000 young people are expected to use it every week and there will be facilities for more than 25 activities.

These include a rooftop artificial football pitch, a climbing wall, state-of-the-art gym, boxing ring, studios for pilates, yoga and dance plus courts for badminton, basketball and netball. There will also be careers advice and mentoring.

The party was held in the Design Studio at Graham & Brown.

BBC News presenter, Ranvir Singh, hosted the night and Blackburn-born pop star Diana Vickers treated guests to a beautiful acoustic set.

Local lad and design pioneer Wayne Hemingway worked as DJ.